The PGCAC Emergency Response Team is urging the community to educate themselves on the current Ebola Outbreak: What is Ebola? Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is one of numerous Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. It is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola HF is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. When infection occurs, symptoms usually begin abruptly. The first Ebolavirus species was discovered in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo near the Ebola River. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically. There are five identified subspecies of Ebolavirus. Four of the five have caused disease in humans: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus); Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus); Taï Forest virus (Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus); and Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus). The fifth, Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus), has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans. How is Ebola transmitted? Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected symptomatic person or though exposure to objects (such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected secretions. Can Ebola be transmitted through the air? No. Ebola is not a respiratory disease like the flu, so it is not transmitted through the air. Can I get Ebola from contaminated food or water? No. Ebola is not a food-borne illness. It is not a water-borne illness. Symptoms include: Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F), Severe headache, Muscle pain, Weakness, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal (stomach) pain, and/or Lack of appetite (Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola virus, although 8-10 days is most common.) Transmission When an infection does occur in humans, the virus can be spread in several ways to others. The virus is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with: •A sick persons blood or body fluids (urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen) •Objects (such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected body fluids •Infected animals (Healthcare workers and the family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients are at the highest risk of getting sick because they may come in contact with infected blood or body fluids.) Treatment Ebola does not have a known, proven treatment. Standard treatment for Ebola HF is still limited to treating the symptoms as they appear and supportive care. This consists of •Balancing the patient’s fluids and electrolytes •Maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure •Treating them for any complicating infections Prevention Barrier nursing techniques include: •Wearing of protective clothing (such as masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles) •Using infection-control measures (such as complete equipment sterilization and routine use of disinfectant) •Isolating patients with Ebola from contact with unprotected persons. If you must travel to an area with known Ebola cases, make sure to do the following: •Practice careful hygiene. Avoid contact with blood and body fluids. •Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids. •Avoid funeral or burial rituals that require handling the body of someone who has died from Ebola. •Avoid contact with animals and raw meat. •Avoid hospitals where Ebola patients are being treated. The U.S. embassy or consulate is often able to provide advice on facilities. •After you return, monitor your health for 21 days and seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms of Ebola.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 03:32:38 +0000
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