WSU cancels upcoming study abroad program in China

Erin Robinson by Erin Robinson

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University has canceled an upcoming program that would take students to China amid the coronavirus outbreak.

An undergraduate student from Washington State University is currently studying abroad there and is making arrangments to return to the United States.

A spokesperson for the university said the student is enrolled in the program through a private firm and that company is helping that student make new travel plans.

An additional group of students were expected to travel to China for a spring semester program through WSU, but the university confirmed they have canceled that program.

WSU is working to find a secondary opportunity in Europe for students who were admitted to the program in China.

On Thursday, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern. WHO defines a public health emergency of international concern as “an extraordinary event” that constitutes a “public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease,” and “to potentially require a coordinated international response.”

Previous emergencices have included Ebola, Zika and H1N1.

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