Information on Ebola Virus Virus Disease -- below is excerpted information from the Virginia Department of Health Bulletin dated 8/4/2014: Background The World Health Organization reports that 1,322 cases of Ebola virus disease, including 729 deaths, have occurred in outbreaks in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. There is also one probable case in Nigeria. New cases continue to be reported, with 122 new cases and 57 deaths reported between July 24th and July 27th. While this is the largest EVD outbreak in history, sporadic cases and outbreaks have occurred in Africa in the past. No case of human illness has been reported in the United States. Disease Symptoms Ebola virus disease is a viral hemorrhagic fever. Early symptoms include sudden fever, headache, chills, and myalgias. Later a skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms can occur. Hemorrhagic signs occur in less than half of infected patients of cases. The disease can become increasingly severe, progressing to shock, multi-organ failure, and death. Transmission Transmission of EVD is through direct contact with blood or body fluids (including but not limited to vomitus, urine, and stool) of an infected person or exposure to contaminated items, such as needles. Ebola virus is not readily transmitted through the air from person to person. Communicability begins with the onset of symptoms. Persons are not infectious during the incubation period. The disease is most transmissible during the later stages of illness, when viral loads are highest. Management Travelers who are exposed through contact with ill persons in West Africa potentially could become ill with EVD in the United States. The only treatment is supportive care. Please take the following steps for early identification and response to ill individuals: • When evaluating someone with a febrile illness (fever greater than 101.5°) and additional symptoms such as severe headache, myalgia, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unexplained hemorrhage, ask about recent travel to West Africa. • If the patient has a recent (within 21 days) history of travel to an affected area, consider EVD in your diagnosis. • Risk factors for EVD exposure in the 3 weeks before the onset of symptoms, include contact with blood or other body fluids of a patient known to have or suspected to have EVD or residence in—or travel to—an area where EVD transmission is active. • The areas with active transmission are in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. However, the situation is rapidly unfolding and additional affected areas may be added (see cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/). • Malaria diagnostics should also be a part of initial testing of a patient. • For more information, see the CDC Health Advisory, Guidelines for Evaluation of US Patients Suspected of Having Ebola Virus Disease, at emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00364.asp
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 17:26:15 +0000
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