How is EVD prevented?

References:

Protective measures can be utilized to

prevent the transmission of the virus to
other humans. Measures include:

World Health Organization: Ebola virus

disease, Fact sheet N103

1. Handling wildlife with gloves and

protective clothing.
2. Avoid contact with body fluids of
people with Ebola symptoms.
3. Regular hand washing.
4. Maintain good hygiene and clean
environment.
5. Monitor Ebola contacts for 21 days
and separate anyone who starts to
exhibit symptoms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Ebola Update, 2014

Additional Information may be

obtained from the following sites:
Http://www.who.int/mediacentre/
factsheets/ebola
Http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola
www.idph.state.il.us/ebola/index.htm

How is EVD virus treated?

There is currently no specific treatment
for Ebola. Treatment involves providing
supportive care and associated
symptom treatment which may include:
intravenous fluids
maintaining oxygen saturation levels,
maintaining blood pressure,
antibiotics for associated infections,
dialysis for kidney function support

There are currently no vaccines

approved for use.

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October 14, 2014

EBOLA
Frequently
Asked
Questions

What is Ebola?
Ebola is a disease caused by a virus
that first was detected in 1976 in an
area in Africa close to the Ebola River.

Additional symptoms may include:

Vomiting or diarrhea
Rash
Impaired kidney or liver function

Where are the Ebola virus patients found?

The most severely affected countries
are currently in western Africa and include Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra
Leone. Some cases have now been
detected in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Spain, and the
United States. Airport screening of
passengers who have traveled abroad
has been instituted to try to detect
anyone with possible symptoms of the
disease.

What are the symptoms of Ebola

Virus Disease (EVD)?
Symptoms start appearing within 2 to
21 days after being exposed to the virus. Humans are not infectious until
they start developing symptoms. Initial symptoms most often include:
Fever greater than 101.5F
Fatigue
Muscle Pain
Headache
Sore throat

Internal or external bleeding

Respiratory difficulties

What is the risk of exposure?

How is Ebola virus transmitted?

It is thought that the virus starts in fruit
bats that are natural hosts for the virus.
It then spreads to other animals and humans who have contact with infected
animals. Human to human transmission
occurs by direct contact (through broken
skin or mucous membranes) with blood,
secretions, or body fluids of infected
people or contact with surfaces or materials that have been contaminated with
the virus. People remain infectious as
long as the virus is contained in the
blood and body fluids. Precautions
should also be taken for breast milk and
semen. The virus is known to live in
semen for up to 7 weeks after patient
has recovered from the illness.

The Ebola virus is not transmitted through

air, water, or food so the risk of exposure
is low for most people. The risk of exposure increases if you travel to any affected
area, have direct contact with someone
who is currently sick with the virus, or
have contact with belongings or the body
of someone who died from the illness.
Prevention is the key to decreasing risk of
exposure.

How is EVD diagnosed?

Symptoms of Ebola Virus disease are
similar to many other infectious diseases.
Diagnosis is made by obtaining information about symptoms, travel or exposure
history, and performing laboratory testing
to confirm the presence of the virus.