Understanding the Ebola outbreak, response from CDC to U.S. concerns

  • Published
  • By By 88th Medical Group
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  On Sept. 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first travel-associated case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States. The case is a part of the current Ebola outbreak affecting the West African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

Recently, the CDC issued a travel notice to avoid all nonessential travel to these countries. All personnel considering travel to or from the AFRICOM AOR, whether on duty or in a leave status, will follow guidance in the Department of Defense Foreign Clearance Guide (https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil).  

The risk of an Ebola outbreak in the United States is very low. Ebola poses minimal to no risk to the U.S. general population not exposed to the blood and body fluids of a person with symptoms of the disease. However, out of an abundance of caution, federal, state and local health   officials are taking measures to protect health by minimizing the potential for further spread of the disease.

Evidence shows that the disease starts in humans by contact with an infected animal. In humans, the virus can only be spread by direct contact with infected animal or human blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk and semen) through broken skin, the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. Ebola does not spread through the air, water or, in general, food.  

Medical and public health professionals across the county are following the situation closely and will continue to assess and take the most appropriate precautions to identify people who have symptoms and a history of travel to affected countries or recent contact with infected individuals' blood and body fluids. Travelers returning from the affected countries complete a health screening in accordance with World Health Organization protocols and are directed report to health care providers should   symptoms arise.

Symptoms may appear between two to 21 days after exposure to the Ebola virus. Symptoms of Ebola include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Finally, the CDC has determined that healthcare institutions in the United States are capable of safely managing a patient with Ebola using infection control procedures. There is no Ebola vaccine or FDA-approved treatment available; however, patients who have received aggressive supportive care have shown a much higher survival rate, due in large part to the robust supportive care that is not as widely available in those developing   nations.

For more information on the current Ebola situation, see www.cdc.gov/ebola.

If you have any additional questions, contact WPAFB Public Health during duty hours, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 257-0098, select option #2 Community Health. During nonduty hours, call 673-0309.