FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE What is EBOLA? Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. One out of two patients will die from Ebola virus disease if appropriate and prompt medical attention is not provided. Ebola can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola is a rare disease caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebola virus. There are five identified Ebola virus strains. Four of the five have caused disease in humans: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus); Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus); Taï Forest virus (Taï Forest ebola virus, formerly Côte d Ivoire ebola virus); and Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus). The fifth, Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus), has caused disease in nonhuman primates but not in humans. To know the current burden of EVD, please on any of the following links: WHO: Ebola Virus Disease (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/situation-reports/en/) DOH (Philippines) : Ebola (http://www.healthpromo.doh.gov.ph/tag/ebola/) Ebola FAQ Sub-Topics: Who is a PERSON UNDER INVESTIGATION (PUI) for EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE? How is this different from a PERSON SUSPECTED TO HAVE EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE? What are the signs and symptoms of EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE? How is EBOLA transmitted? What should I do if I am exposed to someone who has EBOLA? Who should I contact if I suspected that I have the signs and symptoms of EBOLA? Is a person who has recovered from EBOLA still contagious? Who are at high risk for getting sick with EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE? What is the treatment for EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE? How do I protect myself from EBOLA? I am a HEALTHCARE WORKER. How do I protect myself?
Who is a PERSON UNDER INVESTIGATION (PUI) for EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE? A. Any person arriving in the Philippines from any of the following countries in West Africa namely, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Democratic Republic of Congo--in the past 21 days OR PUI EVD B. Any person who has had contact with another person with confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). If you fall under any of the above descriptions of a Person Under Investigation, you should call any of the following: DOH National Epidemiology Center (NEC) 6517800 loc. 2930 DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau 711-1001 to 1002 If you do not have any symptoms of the Ebola Virus Disease, you will be observed and monitored closely ( home quarantine ) for 21 days. During this period, you will be asked to take your temperature 2x/day, record your temperatures, and watch for any signs and symptoms of illness. You will also be advised to stay at home during the observation period. Should you develop any symptoms, you should inform the above hotlines immediately. (See also the FAQ on Person Suspected to Have Ebola Virus Disease.)
How is this different from a PERSON SUSPECTED TO HAVE EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE? EVD A SUSPECT case of EVD is: A PUI who develops signs and symptoms during the 21-day quarantine period OR
with epidemiologic risk factors within the past 21 days before the onset of symptoms such as: Contact with blood or other body fluids or human remains of a patient known to have or suspected to have EVD; Residence in or travel to--an area where Ebola virus transmission is active; or Direct handling of bats, rodents, or primates from disease-endemic areas; AND West African countries Ebola virus transmission if currently active: Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone Source of map: "2014 ebola virus epidemic in West Africa simplified" by ZeLonewolf - Own work. Licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:2014_ebola_virus _epidemic_in_west_africa_simplified.svg#mediaviewer/ File:2014_ebola_virus_epide mic_in_west_africa_simplified.svg
any person with sudden onset of high fever or any of the following symptoms: Headache Diarrhea Anorexia/loss of appetite Abdominal pain Lethargy Difficulty of swallowing Sore throat Bleeding from gums Aching joints or muscles Bleeding into skin (purpura) Bleeding into eyes or in urine Difficulty in breathing Vomiting, hiccups
What are the signs and symptoms of EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE? Signs and symptoms of Ebola include: fever, severe headache, fatigue, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal (stomach) pain, and/or unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising).symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola virus, but the average is 8 to 10 days. Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care by competent healthcare workers and the patient s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years, possibly longer. It is not known if people who recover are immune for life or if they can become infected with a different species of Ebola. Some people who have recovered from Ebola have developed long-term complications, such as joint and muscle pain and vision problems.
How is EBOLA transmitted? Because the natural reservoir of Ebola virus has not yet been identified, the way 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, such as a fruit bat or nonhuman primate.
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 unprotected mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth) Blood or body fluids (including, but not limited to, feces, saliva, sweat, urine, 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 fruit bats or primates (apes and monkeys)
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 bush meat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats. There is no evidence that mosquitoes or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only a few species of mammals (for example, humans, bats, monkeys, and apes) have shown the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus.
What should I do if I am exposed to someone who has EBOLA? If you have traveled to an area with an Ebola outbreak or had close contact with a person sick with Ebola ( Person Under Investigation ), you may be at risk if you: Had direct contact with blood or body fluids or items that came into contact with blood or body fluids from a person with Ebola. Touched bats or nonhuman primates (like apes or monkeys) or blood, fluids, or raw meat prepared from these animals. Went into hospitals where Ebola patients were being treated and had close contact with the patients. Touched the body of a person who died of Ebola. You should check for signs and symptoms of Ebola for 21 days. Take your temperature every morning and evening. Watch for other Ebola symptoms, like severe headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising. Call your doctor even if you do not have symptoms. The doctor can evaluate your exposure level and any symptoms and consult with public health authorities to determine if actions are needed. If you got sick after you came back from an area with an Ebola outbreak: Get medical care right away if you have a fever, severe headache, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or unexplained bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor about your recent travel to West Africa or contact with a person who was sick with Ebola and your symptoms BEFORE you go to the doctor s office or emergency room. Calling before you go to your doctor s office or emergency room will help the doctor or emergency room care for you and protect other people who may be in the office or emergency room. Report to DOH NEC ( 6517800 loc. 2930) or the DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau ( 711-1001 to 1002) the first time you have any signs and symptoms of Ebola infection.
Who should I contact if I suspect that I have the signs and symptoms of EBOLA? Signs and symptoms of Ebola include: fever, severe headache, fatigue, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal (stomach) pain, an/or unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising).symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola virus, but the average is 8 to 10 days. If you have travelled to any Ebola-affected countries and you have any of the above symptoms, please report to: DOH NEC ( 6517800 loc. 2930) or the DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau ( 711-1001 to 1002). Is a person who has recovered from EBOLA still contagious? Once people recover from Ebola, they can no longer spread the virus to people in the community. However, because the Ebola virus can stay in the semen after recovery, men should abstain from sex (including oral sex) for at least three months. If abstinence is not possible, condoms may help prevent the spread of the disease. There is no evidence that people can get sick from the Ebola virus through sex (or oral sex) before symptoms appear. Who are at high risk for getting sick with EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE? Healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients, and the family and friends who are in close contact with Ebola patients are at the highest risk of getting sick because they may come in contact with the infected blood and 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 viruses can occur in healthcare settings where health workers are not wearing appropriate protective clothing including masks, gowns, gloves, eye goggles, and impermeable footwear.
What is the treatment for EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE? No FDA-approved vaccine or medicine (e.g., antiviral drug) is available for Ebola. Symptoms of Ebola are treated as they appear. The following basic interventions, when used early, can significantly improve the chances of survival: Providing intravenous fluids and balancing electrolytes (body salts); Maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure; and, Treating other infections if they occur. Experimental vaccines and treatments for Ebola are under development, but they have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness. Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive care and the patient s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years, possibly longer. It isn t known if people who recover are immune for life or if they can become infected with a different species of Ebola. Some people who have recovered from Ebola have developed long-term complications, such as joint and vision problems.
How do I protect myself from EBOLA? If you travel to, work in, or are in an area affected by an Ebola outbreak, make sure to do the following: Practice careful hygiene. For example, wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and avoid contact with blood and body fluids. Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person s blood or body fluids (such as clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment). Avoid funeral or burial rituals that require handling the body of someone who has died from Ebola. Avoid contact with bats and nonhuman primates or blood, fluids, and raw meat prepared from these animals. Avoid facilities in West Africa where Ebola patients are being treated. The U.S. embassy or consulate is often able to provide advice on facilities. After you return, monitor your health for 21 days and seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms of Ebola.
I am a HEALTHCARE WORKER. How do I protect myself? New guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Protection call for head-to-toe protection for health workers treating Ebola patients. (Photo: Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/10/20/cdc-new-protocol/17638161/ Healthcare workers who may be exposed to people with Ebola should follow these steps: First of all, get trained and retrained on proper infection prevention and control procedures in managing patients with Ebola virus disease. Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment when caring for suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease. Practice proper infection control and sterilization measures. Isolate patients with Ebola from other patients. Avoid direct contact with the bodies of people who have died from Ebola. Notify health officials if you have had direct contact with the blood or body fluids, such as but not limited to, feces, saliva, urine, vomit, and semen of a person who is sick with Ebola. The virus can enter the body through broken skin or unprotected mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth.
For more information, please go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/ Clinical Care of Ebola Virus Disease, RITM DOH Interim Guidelines Prepared by: UP Manila Task Force on Ebola Preparedness & Response