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 onset 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