Tuesday morning, Dean Evelyn Campbell was notified about a recent Quad-City article concerning Augustana College groundskeeper Barhyeau Philips.
“I first found out about this in response to the online article,” said Campbell.
Philips’s daughter, Jennifer Philips, recently returned from Liberia. The family is self-quarantined, and the community is taking extreme precautionary measures. Neither of the Philips’ are exhibiting symptoms.
Philips and his daughter are being monitored by the Rock Island Health Department for 21 days, according to the article in the Quad-City Times.
Ebola, which first arose in 1976, isn’t a new disease. However, this is the first time the numbers have risen to epidemic levels.
Augustana has taken action by sending Philips on administrative leave for three weeks, covering the time needed for monitoring.
“We have a team of people who respond to things like this,” said Campbell.
The college called the Rock Island Health Department, who is working with the state of Illinois, to consult on the issue.
“The department recommended as an extra precaution that we send the employee home,” said Campbell.
The biggest response to the precaution has been from parents. While parents have been concerned, few students have been in contact about the issue.
“I feel like the community has been supportive of the action that has been taken,” said Campbell.
According to Campbell, the community will be updated every week on the status of Phillips.
“In three weeks we will talk again with the health department and make a decision on whether or not he (Phillips) will return to work,” said Campbell.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is currently establishing an information hotline concerning questions about the Ebola virus.
For more information go to the Central for Disease Control website, www.cdc.gov for updates.