EBOLA VIRUS AWARENESS Yvonne S. Butler, MD Assistant Professor; - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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)

• 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

http://www.dawn.com/news/934016/bushmeat-off- the-menu-in-the-us

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
• nset 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

What If You Feel Sick ?

Uganda MOH Viral Hemorrhagic Fever

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, pem-

pem, 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