HCPSSEbola Virus Information and Update
October 8th, 2014
Ebola Information and Update
HCPSS nurses and health assistants in all schools are screening students who present with symptoms of a fever. If fever is at or above 100 degrees, the student is sent home. Parents are asked if the student has traveled out of the country recently; if so, the case is reported to the Howard County Health Department and the family is asked to follow up with their primary health provider. Students are expected to be fever free for 24 hours prior to returning to school. Staff members who develop a fever at school are expected to go home and to be fever free for 24 hours prior to returning to schools.
The Health Services office also encourages good hygiene practices, including hand washing, using hand sanitizer, covering mouth when sneezing or coughing. Fact sheets developed by the Center for Disease Control and Howard County Health Department have been shared with administrators, nurses and health assistants. Ebola protocols have been addressed with principals and school nurses at face-to-face meetings.
A committee will soon convene this week to review existing health emergency plans and ensure that a thorough plan is in place in the event that the Ebola virus impacts the HCPSS community.
Key Points
- CDC is implementing enhanced entry screening at five U.S. airports that receive over 94% of travelers from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
- A confirmed case of Ebola has been reported in Spain.
- On September 30, 2014, CDC confirmed the first travel-associated case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States. The patient passed away on October 8, 2014.
- New cases continue to be reported from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
- Nigeria and Senegal have not reported any new cases since September 5, 2014, and August 29, 2014, respectively. All contacts in both countries have now completed their 21-day follow up, with no further cases of Ebola reported.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported cases of Ebola. These cases are not related to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. For information on the outbreak in DRC, see the 2014 Ebola Outbreak in DRC page.
What is Ebola?
Ebola, also known as Ebola virus disease, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains (Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo, or Tai Forest virus). Ebola viruses are found in several African countries. Ebola was discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically in several African countries.
How is Ebola spread?
The virus is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with blood and body fluids (urine, feces, saliva, vomit, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola, or with objects (like needles) that have been contaminated with the virus. Ebola is not spread through air, water or food.
Who is most at risk of getting Ebola?
Healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients and family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients are at the highest risk of getting sick because they may come in direct contact with the blood or body fluids of sick patients.
Can I get Ebola from a person who is infected but doesn’t have fever or any symptoms?
No. A person infected with Ebola is not contagious until symptoms appear.
What is being done to prevent ill travelers in West Africa from getting on a plane?
CDC works with partners at ports of entry into the United States to help prevent infectious diseases from being introduced and spread in the United States. CDC staffs are ready 24/7 to investigate cases of ill travelers on planes and ships entering the United States.
Although someone could become infected with Ebola in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, or Sierra Leone and then fly to the United States, it is unlikely that they would spread the disease to fellow passengers. A person infected with Ebola is not contagious until symptoms appear.
Where Can I Get More Information About Ebola?