The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed the first travel-associated case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/united-states-imported-case.html
The CDC recognizes that even a single case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States raises concerns. Knowing the possibility exists, medical and public health professionals across the country have been trained to respond. CDC and public health officials and health care professionals have been reminded to use meticulous infection control at all times. Standard Infection Control protocols are in place.
· Is there a danger of Ebola spreading in the U.S.?
Ebola is not spread through casual contact; therefore, the risk of a major outbreak in the U.S. is very low. The illness is spread through contact with body fluids of an ill person, and is not airborne. The CDC and the US Public Health Departments know how to limit the spread of the Ebola illness: thorough case finding, isolation of ill people, contacting people exposed to the ill person and further isolation of contacts if they develop symptoms. The U.S. public health and medical systems have had prior experience with sporadic cases of diseases such as Ebola.
· Can hospitals in the United States care for an Ebola patient?
Any U.S. hospital that is following CDC’s HYPERLINK "https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/environmental-infection-control-in-hospitals.html" infection control recommendations and can isolate a patient in their own room with a private bathroom is capable of safely managing a patient with Ebola. Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.
· How do I protect myself against Ebola?
If you must travel to an area affected by the 2014 Ebola outbreak, protect yourself by doing the following:
- Wash hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid contact with blood and body fluids of any person, particularly someone who is sick.
- Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids.
- Do not touch the body of someone who has died from Ebola.
- Do not touch bats and nonhuman primates or their blood and fluids and do not touch or eat raw meat prepared from these animals.
- Avoid hospitals in West Africa where Ebola patients are being treated. The U.S. Embassy or consulate is often able to provide advice on medical facilities.
- Seek medical care immediately if you develop fever (temperature of 101.5°F/ 38.6°C) and any of the other following symptoms: headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bruising or bleeding.
- Limit your contact with other people until and when you go to the doctor. Do not travel anywhere else besides a healthcare facility.
· What do I do if I’m returning to the U.S. from the area where the Ebola outbreak is occurring?
After you return pay attention to your health. Monitor your health for 21 days if you were in an area with an Ebola outbreak, especially if you were in contact with blood or body fluids, items that have come in contact with blood or body fluids, animals or raw meat, or hospitals where Ebola patients are being treated or participated in burial rituals.
- Take your temperature with a thermometer in the morning and at night.
- Write your temperature down.
- Watch for other symptoms: severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or unexplained hemorrhage.
- Seek medical care immediately if you develop fever (temperature of 101.5°F/ 38.6°C) and any of the following symptoms: headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bruising or bleeding.
Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms before you go to the office or emergency room. Advance notice will help your doctor care for you and protect other people who may be in the office.
Jacqueline Carson RN,BSN
Health Services
10/13/2014 |