Sources: Elizabeth Hansen-Devaux, 785-532-5990, ehd@k-state.edu;
and Kristine Young, 785-532-5990, kkristin@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

K-STATE'S INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENTAL ADVISORIES REGARDING DISEASES FOR STUDENTS STUDYING IN ANOTHER COUNTRY

MANHATTAN -- Officials with Kansas State University's office of international programs are advising students involved in study abroad trips to Mexico to avoid the country or delay their trip due to the current outbreak of the H1N1 (swine) flu virus.

Elizabeth Hansen-Devaux, study abroad adviser for K-State's office of international programs, said they keep a close eye on travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State for every part of the world where K-State students are studying.

As of April 27, both the State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advised Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico due to the swine flu outbreak.

Hansen-Devaux said that K-State has two students studying in Mexico, at Xalapa and at Monterrey, this semester. While neither student has contracted the virus, they are both coming home because of the situation in Mexico.

Hansen-Devaux said that K-State has been working with the universities involved in Mexico to ensure that when students return they'll receive complete academic credit for their work.

Two additional K-State students -- one to study in Mexico this summer and one who had planned to in the fall -- are weighing their options.

Hansen-Devaux said the office of international programs maintains contact with students when they are abroad and with their host institutions. That way, when an event such as a natural disaster, act of terrorism or disease warning takes place, students can be tracked down with relative speed. She said the office also encourages students to register with the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy so in case something does happen, they can be offered additional assistance.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]