What You Need To Know About Ebola:

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female surgeon with surgical mask on - Ebola SymptomsWest Africa is infected with the worst recorded outbreak of Ebola ever. Over 7,400 people in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone have contacted Ebola.

The U.S. now finds its first confirmed Ebola patient. 

Ebola is not spread through casual contact, so there is little risk of an outbreak in America. Here’s what you need to know:

Initial Ebola Symptoms:

Ebola Virus

Ebola Virus

  • Fever
  • Weakness (intense)
  • Muscle Pain
  • Headache
  • Sore Throat

Symptoms That Follow:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Rash
  • Kidney & Liver Problems

3 Ways To Spread Ebola

  1. Humans can attain the Ebola virus through contact with animals.
  2. Humans spread the virus through contact with blood or other bodily fluids.
  3. Exposure can also occur through contaminated needles.

 

Things You May Not Know About Ebola
  • It’s not spread through casual contact so there is little risk of an outbreak in the United States.
  • There is no vaccine available.
  • Previous outbreaks have had approx. 90% mortality rates.
  • The survival rate of the current outbreak is approx. 47%.
  • Example Scenario for Liberia and Sierra Leone*
    • Best-Case: 11,000 – 27,000 cases through January 2015
    • Worst-Case: 537,000 – 1.4 million cases through January 2015

                                      *Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Where Does Ebola Come From?

Once thought to originate in gorillas, it is now believed that the fruit bats may be a natural host for Ebola. Humans and animals may catch the virus by eating food contaminated by bats through defecation or drool. It is also possible that touching infected droppings and exposing to the eyes or mouth through touch may also transfer the virus.  

What Is The U.S. Doing About Ebola?

An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated by the Center for Disease Control to help coordinate activities with partners and to offer technical assistance. If an ill traveler arrives in the United States, there are a complete set of protocols established to deal with the situation.

In addition, U.S. healthcare workers are taking steps to prepare to isolate patients if needed, prevent the spread of the virus, and protect themselves from infection.

Learn more  about Ebola from the Center for Disease Control