Parents of missionaries entering the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, are being asked to pay particular attention to the physical condition of their missionary sons and daughters and to delay their arrival at the training center if they show any signs of illness.
The caution comes on the news that three missionaries at the MTC have been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus and another 17 have tested positive for the type A flu virus.
The affected missionaries have been isolated from the rest of the approximately 2,000 missionaries currently residing at the MTC and are being cared for by the center’s medical staff until they pose no medical risk to others. All are expected to make a full recovery, and their parents have been notified.
Parents and family members coming to drop off missionaries at the MTC this week are also being notified that only missionaries will be allowed inside the buildings. This is to prevent additional exposure to the missionaries from outside sources.
Elder Richard G. Hinckley, executive director of the Missionary Department, said: “As always, the well-being of our missionaries is our top priority. We are erring on the side of caution and taking all necessary steps to ensure they are in a healthy environment. The MTC medical staff is following an established protocol designed to deal effectively with issues related to communicable diseases.”
As a preventative measure, missionaries scheduled to depart from the MTC to missionary assignments are being delayed a week to ensure they are free from illness.