The
first case of Ebola in the United States has been confirmed by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] on September 30, 2014. Based on travel history, it was determined
that the person contracted the disease during a visit to Africa. Symptoms did
not develop until five days after arriving in the United States. No symptoms
were shown during the flight from West Africa. CDC does not recommend that
people on the same flight undergo monitoring.
The patient is currently hospitalized and isolated in Dallas,
Texas. Local public health officials
have started identifying the close contacts of the person for further daily
monitoring for up to 21 days after a possible exposure.
The
2014 Ebola outbreak is the largest Ebola outbreak in history and the first in
West
Africa. The outbreak in West Africa is worsening, but
CDC, along with other U.S.
government
agencies and international partners, is taking steps to respond. Ebola does
not
pose a substantial risk to the U.S. general population. No cases have been
reported
in Calaveras County or California.
Ebola
is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus
strains. Researchers believe that Ebola virus is animal-borne and that bats are
the most likely source in the infected countries.
A
person infected with Ebola virus is not contagious and cannot spread the disease until symptoms appear. Ebola virus is
spread through direct contact with the blood or body fluids (including but not
limited to feces [stool], saliva, urine, vomit, and semen) of a person who is
sick with Ebola. The virus in the blood and body fluids can enter another
person’s body through broken skin or unprotected mucous membranes in, for
example, the eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus can also be spread through contact
with objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the
virus. Ebola is not spread through
the air or by water or, in general, by food.
“There is no vaccine for Ebola,”
stated Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer.
“Recognizing the symptoms of Ebola early are important
for providing medical care and preventing the spread of infection,” Kelaita
continued.
Ebola symptoms include:
·
fever greater than 101.5°F and
·
muscle pain
·
vomiting
·
diarrhea
·
stomach pain or
·
unexplained bleeding or bruising
To stop the spread of Ebola, cases
are identified, ill people isolated and close contacts of ill persons are
monitored and isolated if they develop symptoms. In the past 10 years, the U.S. has had five imported Ebola cases. None of those
cased resulted in transmission of the disease in the U.S. CDC has alerted American healthcare workers
about how to identify and isolate patients who may have Ebola and how they can
protect themselves from infection.
For more information call Public
Health at 754.6460 or visit our website at: www.calaveraspublichealth.com