Rutgers Cancels All Study Abroad Due To Coronavirus Fears

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Due to growing concerns about the coronavirus, Rutgers University made the decision Monday to cancel all its spring semester study abroad programs and international spring break programs.

Rutgers University president Robert Barchi announced the decision Monday.

"In keeping with guidance by the CDC, today we made the decision to cancel Rutgers-sponsored study abroad semester programs, international spring break programs, and Rutgers faculty-sponsored study abroad programs," said Barchi.

He also recommended any Rutgers student currently abroad in a third-party study abroad program "return home as soon as practical." And he advised against Rutgers students and staff doing any overseas travel or plane travel.

Barchi announced the news as Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday that one person was set to be tested in New Jersey for the illness.

Murphy said anyone with pneumonia requiring hospitalization, with no obvious source for the diagnosis, will be tested. "We've been at this for weeks and we are staying vigilant," the governor said.

New Jersey state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the person set to be tested was actually not hospitalized as of 1 p.m. Monday, and the state Department of Health expects to receive specimens later Monday.

"We are taking all steps available to protect the residents of New Jersey," she said.

Murphy's announcement came as six deaths in the United States resulting from the coronavirus have been reported. At least three in Washington were announced on Monday.

Rutgers organized an emergency meeting Monday to address the virus. Barchi said the spread of the virus was "likely."

"We are working to address any academic issues that arise for the 200 students currently involved in international study abroad programs," said Barchi. "We will announce a decision regarding study abroad programs currently planned for the summer and for next semester in the coming weeks, certainly before the April 1 deadline for enrollment in those programs."

There are currently no reported cases of the coronavirus involving Rutgers students, faculty or staff, and there are no reported cases in New Jersey.

"That situation, as we all know, could change at any time," said Barchi.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

According to the CDC, the best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.