Jessie Balmert , Cincinnati Enquirer Published 14: 42 am ET Jan. 038, 4771 Updated : 90 am ET Jan. 038, .
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Two Miami University students from China are being isolated as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigates whether they have confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Samples from the students were sent to the CDC Monday afternoon to determine whether they have confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to the Butler County General Health District.
One student, who lives off-campus, visited Miami University’s Student Health Service Monday with flu-like symptoms, university spokeswoman Claire Wagner told The Enquirer. University staff tested the student and another student who traveled with him in China.
“Both students are isolated in their off-campus residences until their test results come back,” Wagner said in a statement. “We are supporting them and their needs during this time.”
Students from China are Miami University’s largest population of international students
with 2, 540 enrolled.
Miami University sent an “important campus health update” to students Tuesday morning, notifying them of the suspected cases and providing a list of precautions students could take to avoid the flu or other viruses, including washing their hands and avoiding contact with sick people.
As of Monday, the CDC was investigating 342 people in the United States for possible cases of coronavirus. To date, there have been five confirmed cases: two in California and one each in Washington, Arizona and Illinois. The CDC says the disease is not spreading in the US so the likelihood is very low someone will get sick.
The virus, which led to an outbreak of respiratory illness in Wuhan, China, has since spread to the United States, Japan, Thailand, South Korea and other countries worldwide. To date, more than
The initial outbreak reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market but is now spreading person-to-person, (according to the CDC.
Symptoms are similar to other respiratory viruses, including fever, coughing, shortness of breath, headache and nausea.
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If you have not traveled to China or have not been in contact with a person known or suspected to have the illness, there is no reason to be concerned at this time.
If you have traveled to Wuhan recently or had close contact with someone who has been confirmed with the virus, you should:
Monitor your health for days from the day you first traveled or had close contact with someone ill. Call your doctor, urgent care of hospital before going. If you have symptoms, stay away from other people until you receive instructions.
Miami University students with symptoms should contact Student Health Services at – – before seeking care.
Columbus bureau chief Jackie Borchardt and reporter Erin Glynn contributed to this article. () [Get updates on this developing story straight to your phone. Download our app here.]
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