CHAPEL HILL  -- UNC-Chapel Hill announced Wednesday that students are prohibited from traveling to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea because of concerns about Ebola.

Faculty and staff must obtain approval before traveling to those countries

“Consistent with our public service mission, UNC seeks to address major issues facing the global community, including this outbreak. While we are deeply aware of the need for service and research related to Ebola, the University and the Health Care System must also balance those needs against a full commitment to protecting our community,” read a joint statement issued by UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt and William L. Roper, Chief Executive Officer of the UNC Health Care System,

There are reports that N.C. State could be considering similar restrictions. It is unclear how such restrictions would be enforced.

People infected with Ebola are not contagious until they begin to show symptoms. Symptoms can begin to appear 2-21 days after exposure and can include fever, headache, stomach pain, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting and unexplained bleeding or bruising.