City Distributes Ebola Information, Symptoms and Prevention Tips

From the city of Rancho Palos Verdes:

Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. Ebola can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees).

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The natural reservoir host of Ebola virus remains unknown. However, on the basis of evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is animal-borne and that bats are the most likely reservoir. Four of the five virus strains occur in an animal host native to Africa.

SYMPTOMS OF EBOLA INCLUDE

•Fever

•Severe headache

•Muscle pain

•Weakness

•Diarrhea

•Vomiting

•Abdominal (stomach) pain

•Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)

Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is eight to 10 days.

Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.

PREVENTION There is no FDA-approved vaccine available for Ebola.

If you travel to or are in an area affected by an Ebola outbreak, make sure to do the following:

•Practice careful hygiene. For example, wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and avoid contact with blood and body fluids.

•Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids (such as clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment).

•Avoid funeral or burial rituals that require handling the body of someone who has died from Ebola.

•Avoid contact with bats and nonhuman primates or blood, fluids, and raw meat prepared from these animals.

•Avoid hospitals in West Africa where Ebola patients are being treated. The U.S. embassy or consulate is often able to provide advice on facilities.

•After you return, monitor your health for 21 days and seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms of Ebola.

FOR IN DEPTH INFORMATION GO TO

Los Angeles Department of Public Health: LA County Department of Public Health: Ebola Update

The Centers for Disease Control: Centers for Disease Control Ebola Update

Tracy Bonano Emergency Services Coordinator 310-544-5209

PHOTO Patch file photo.

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