EBOLA VIRUS AWARENESS Yvonne S. Butler, MD Assistant Professor; Obstetrics and Gynecology Global Women s Health Program Liberia Chevron-Liberia / BIPAI Partnership Baylor College of Medicine Texas Children s Hospital
What Is Ebola? A Filovirus that causes haemorrhagic fever resulting in damage to the blood vessels and many organs (intestines, stomach, liver, etc) There are five species of the virus, typically named from the region/country it was isolated: Bundibugyo Ebolavirus Reston Ebolavirus Sudan Ebolavirus Tai Forest Ebolavirus Zaire Ebolavirus
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Ebola Virus Lassa Fever Marburg fever Yellow fever Rift Valley Fever Crimean-Congo fever
How Does It Spread? Human to human contact Contact with an infected person s blood, saliva (spit), semen, vaginal fluid, vomit, feces (toilet), urine Contact with any objects, including clothes, etc. that an infected person (or a dead person) has contaminated Contact with infected bush meat Contact with infected fruit bats
Centers for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention 2014
Ebola Transmission (Spread) http://www.dawn.com/news/934016/bushmeat-offthe-menu-in-the-us You can get infected through direct contact with an infected wild animal, like gorillas, monkeys, etc AVOID BUSH MEAT Bats might spread the Ebola virus to animals (monkeys, gorillas) DO NOT EAT or HANDLE BATS
Transmission in Health Facilities
Ebola Symptoms Fever, headache, chills, weakness Vomiting and diarrhea Rash, Joint pain Red eyes Hiccups Bleeding Internal gut (stomach, throat, etc.) External Eyes, nose, ears, mouth, vagina, etc
Uganda MOH Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
Transmission Time The amount of time from infection to the onset of symptoms varies 2 to 21 days This means that if you are exposed to the Ebola virus, it may take up to 21 days before you start to have symptoms
Do I Have Ebola if I Have WHO Infection Control for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever.1998
Is Ebola A Serious Illness Yes Up to 90% of people infected with Ebola (Zaire sub-type) will die There is no cure There is no vaccine Everyone is at risk for getting this disease
How Do You Test For It? Special blood tests in a few labs across the world Guinea France United States Central Africa
What Is The Treatment? There is no medication to cure Ebola Patients are provided oxygen, IV fluids (drips), blood, etc. for general support
Who Is At Greatest Risk For Ebola? Healthcare workers People in areas where Ebola cases have been documented Family members of patients suspected or diagnosed with Ebola People who come in close contact with a person diagnosed with Ebola
Ebola Virus Prevention (1) Stay away from high risk areas Lofa County Guinea Conakry, Guekedou, Macenta, Dabola Sierra Leone/Liberia Border
Ebola Virus Prevention (2) Avoid people who are sick from high risk areas Avoid isolation areas at hospitals and clinics JFK Cholera Unit Firestone Isolation Unit Redemption Hospital Isolation camp outside WHO Infection Control for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever.1998
Ebola Virus Prevention (3) Wash your hands frequently Do not touch blood, body fluids, or secretions of anyone Avoid touching your face Do not touch the body of a dead person suspected of having Ebola
Ebola Virus Prevention (4) WHO Infection Control for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever.1998
Prevention in Health Facility http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26701733 WHO Infection Control for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever.1998
Uganda MOH Viral Hemorrhagic Fever What If You Feel Sick?
If You Feel Sick Do NOT Do NOT report to work Call your boss, and inform him/her of your illness Do NOT have contact with your wife, children, family, neighbors (etc.) Protect your family Do NOT take take public transport (taxi, pempem, etc. Do NOT lie about how you feel or the symptoms you have
If You Feel Sick Do Wear a mask to protect others Report to the nearest isolation center or Call the MOH and ask where can you get treated Call everyone you ve come in contact with and warn them to avoid others, and report for an evaluation
Is This Ebola Thing Real Doc? Guinea 122 suspected cases (who 4/1/2014) Probable and suspected cases include 11 health care workers 80 deaths Sierra Leone (Kailahun & Kambia Districts) WHO states that there are suspected cases 4 deaths (unverified)
Ebola In Liberia 8 cases reported by MOH to WHO (04/01/2014) 2 confirmed cases in Lofa County 2 deaths Firestone with 1 confirmed case 32 possible contacts SOS International Ebola Awareness Presentation 31-03-2014 Webinar
Are We All Doomed? NO The situation is changing on a daily basis Monitor the news and ask questions Educate yourself and your family Practice prevention strategies Plan for what you will do if you become exposed Help us educate your community
Ebola Hotlines (Liberia) Ministry of Health 0770198517 0777549805 0886530260 0886549805
Summary Points Ebola virus is a very serous illness There is no cure for Ebola Preventive measures are the best way to contain the disease Be honest with yourself and others about any possible exposure
Acknowledgement and Questions