EBOLA What You Need To Know In Text, iIlustrations, Film And Video

OVERVIEW:



Transmission



Because the natural reservoir host of Ebola viruses has not yet been identified, the manner in which the virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak is unknown. However, researchers believe that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal.



When an infection does occur in humans, the virus can be spread in several ways to others. Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth) with

• blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola

• objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus

• infected animals

• Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, by food. However, in Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats. There is no evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only mammals (for example, humans, bats, monkeys, and apes) have shown the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus.



Healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients 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 of sick patients.



During outbreaks of Ebola, the disease can spread quickly within healthcare settings (such as a clinic or hospital). Exposure to Ebola can occur in healthcare settings where hospital staff are not wearing appropriate protective equipment, including masks, gowns, and gloves and eye protection.

Dedicated medical equipment (preferable disposable, when possible) should be used by healthcare personnel providing patient care. Proper cleaning and disposal of instruments, such as needles and syringes, is also important. If instruments are not disposable, they must be sterilized before being used again. Without adequate sterilization of the instruments, virus transmission can continue and amplify an outbreak.



Once someone recovers from Ebola, they can no longer spread the virus. However, Ebola virus has been found in semen for up to 3 months. People who recover from Ebola are advised to abstain from sex or use condoms for 3 months.



CHAPTERS:



1. Tightened Guidance for U.S. Healthcare Workers on Personal Protective Equipment for Ebola



2. Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment, Including Procedures for Putting On (Donning) and Removing (Doffing)



3. Questions and Answers on Ebola



4. Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Information Packet



5.  Excerpts From: Infection Control for Viral Haemorrhagic  Fevers in the African Health Care Setting Ebola Virus Disease



6. Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease) Transmission



7. Case Definition for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)



8. Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals for Ebola Virus



9. Interim Guidance for Specimen Collection, Transport, Testing, and Submission



10. Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)



11. Ebola Virus Disease Information for Clinicians in U.S. Healthcare Settings



12. Safe Management of Patients with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in U.S. Hospitals



13. Ebola Experimental Treatments & Vaccines



14. Ebola Outbreak: Advice for Humanitarian Aid Organizations

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