DeKalb County Schools Not Admitting New Students From Ebola-Stricken Areas

DeKalb County School officials have decided not to admit new students from Ebola-stricken countries in West Africa unless proper medical documentation is presented and the superintendent approves.

The district has notified all principals and administrators of the policy, which includes new students from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and other areas.

It is collaborating with the DeKalb Board of Health, Centers for Disease Control, DeKalb Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education to manage the health issue.

Superintendents have advised principals and administrators to be observant of anyone exhibiting a fever in the school and inquire if that person had traveled to or had a brush with someone who had come from an Ebola affected region.

If school officials encounter individuals whom exhibit symptoms, they are to separate the individual from others and report the case to the Regional Superintendent.

Two Students Returning From West Africa Turned Away

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that two Dunwoody students who recently returned from West Africa were blocked from enrolling.

The student’s father worked for CARE in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Abu Fofana said he had a letter from CARE, showing that more than 21 days had passed since their return from Africa. That is the normal quarantine period for potential Ebola infection.

Contributors: Bradley George, The Atlanta Journal Constitution

Tags: Ebola, ebola virus, DeKalb County schools, CARE, West Africa, Liberia, sierra leone, Guinea, Abu Fofana