Central College Abroad

Health and Safety

• Health Matters
• Role of Resident Director
• Before, During and After
• Pandemic Flu
• Student Insurance
• Students with Disabilities
• Safety Matters
• Emergency Plan
• Health and Safety Resources

Information for

• Alumni
• Faculty/Advisors
• Parents
• Students

Normally when Americans study abroad there is a stereotype that they 'see the world' but really, they stay very tied to their program. With Central College Abroad, I felt like I really lived independently here. Yet there were always activities with Central, and the staff was just one phone call or e-mail away.

pandemic flu

H1N1 (Swine Flu)

Central College Abroad has closely monitored the H1N1 influenza since the onset of the situation. There are still no confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in the state of the Yucatan, where our Mexico program is located. Given the stabilizing situation in Mexico, we are happy to announce all summer, semester and year-long programs in Merida, Mexico, will go forward as planned. We continue to monitor the situation carefully. For more information on the Merida summer program, please read more.

For additional information, please consult the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov or the Web site of the World Health Organization at www.who.int. The U.S. Embassy will also post additional information as it becomes available at www.usembassy-mexico.gov. The Central College emergency Web site is www.central.edu/emergency.

H5N1 (Avian Flu)
Although there have been no travel warnings issued with avian flu, students of Central College Abroad are provided the information necessary to make adequate preparations and appropriate decisions before and during the study abroad experience.

Avian Influenza (H5N1) is a rising concern due to sporadic outbreaks in Asia and Europe. The virus itself is present in the droppings of birds, especially chickens. Human cases have occurred, but only after direct contact with poultry. Although the risk to travelers is small, it is important to avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets. It is safe to eat well-cooked chicken.

General Guidelines
The Center for Global Education recommends that all students and parents review institutional/program and personal emergency action plans, and take necessary precautions to make informed travel decisions. Besides practicing good personal hygiene, students should consider staying away from people and areas of potential risk, and seek medical attention at the first indication of flu-like symptoms.
In addition, the Center strongly suggests all parents and students review Avian flu and Swine flu information, as well as travel and country-specific warnings provided by the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Center also suggests students seek alternative information from international sources in the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and from the World Health Organization.

Please take time to review the Health and Insurance Matters section of your Student Survival Guide for further health and safety information.

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Student Insurance