Schools looking at trips abroad

Universities are taking another look at summer study-abroad trips to Mexico and keeping close eye on students showing up at health centers.

Virginia Commonwealth University: About 20 students have signed up for a June 19 trip to Cuernavaca, capital of Morelos, Mexico, said VCU spokeswoman Pam DiSalvo Lepley. "That, of course, could change depending on the situation. We are guided by what the CDC, WHO and State Department say, as well as our contacts at our host institutions, such as the University of Guadalajara and Universidad Internacional in Cuernavaca."

Old Dominion University: Three ODU students are studying abroad through a partner institution in Mexico in an area where no swine flu has been reported, said Jennifer Mullen, an ODU spokeswoman. "We have been in regular contact with the students, who have shown no signs of illness and are due to return to the United States on Saturday. Our officials have provided these students with information and guidance on precautionary measures to take.

"We do not have any groups scheduled for a trip to Mexico in the next few weeks. We are monitoring the advice of the CDC and will adjust or cancel any future trips, if that becomes necessary."

Virginia Tech: "We are monitoring the swine-flu situation," said Lance Matheson, director of international programs. "We have programs in Europe in a few weeks." He said he has no worries about sending students to Europe, where only a few cases of swine flu have been reported. "Our concern is that the Europeans would ban Americans coming to Europe."

University of Richmond: "We're monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Virginia Department of Health," said spokesman Brian H. Eckert. "Fortunately, there's no immediate threat in Virginia or on our campus. We did have a number of students in Mexico over spring break, some in Mexico City, but the incubation period of the swine flu that started there has long since passed, and to the best of our knowledge none of those student, faculty or staff became ill. We haven't had any cases of any type of influenza on campus in more than three weeks." -- Tammie Smith and Katherine Calos