Curious George and the Ebola Virus

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In wake of the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa earlier this year in March, it has sent people running for the hills and freaking out. However there are many things that people may not know about Ebola and just what exactly the CDC and Obama Administration are doing to aid and prevent this horrible virus.

First off let me start by giving you some facts about the virus:

• It is not transmitted through the air like the flu
• According to public health authorities, the only way a person can get Ebola is by coming into direct contact with the body fluids (urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk and semen) of someone who is already showing symptoms
• If the person does not have symptoms, they are not contagious
• Symptoms can show anywhere from 2-21 days after contact with an asymptomatic person
• You cannot get it if you come in contact with someone who is infected, but not showing symptoms

So just how bad is this virus exactly?

 Well from the first documented case in march there has been 9,200 cases with 4,500 deaths in 5 areas in Africa and 1 death and three recorded cases in the U.S in Dallas, Texas.
What are we doing at home?
Clinicians in the United States have been key to our safety here at home by:

• Identifying patients with both a history of travel from West Africa or contact with someone with a confirmed case of Ebola and symptoms indicating they might have Ebola
• Immediately isolating these patients
• Consulting their local or state health departments
• Getting these patients tested as needed