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ABOUT EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER
Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is one of numerous Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. It is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered (but not confirmed) to be the natural host of the Ebola virus. Ebola HF is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. There are five known species of Ebola virus and one known species of the Marburg virus. The Ebola virus species that is currently the source of the outbreak in West Africa is called Zaire Ebolavirus or just Ebola virus for short.
Since the first cases of Ebola HF in the current West Africa outbreak were detected in March, 2014, up to 90% of those who become infected die. And the deaths are particularly gruesome including bleeding from the eyes, internal bleeding, major organ failure, grotesque rashes and more. Click HERE for a terrifying, detailed description of the physical effects of Ebola.
HOW IS EBOLA TRANSMITTED?
While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization state that Ebola is transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals and is not airborne, this may be an attempt to avoid panic. A fact they dance around is that there is a high probability it is transmissible, as with most other contagions, via airborne saliva particles, such as those released via coughs and sneezes.
Further, the Public Health Agency of Canada’s official website states that “airborne spread among humans is strongly suspected, although it has not yet been conclusively demonstrated.”
[NOTE: Oct 2, 2014] – Sometime between Oct 1-2, the Public Health Agency of Canada actually CHANGED THE LANGUAGE of their Pathogen Safety Data Sheet on Ebola to softer, less alarming language on airborne transmission, including the removal of citations to key scientific literature. Thankfully the WayBack Machine has archived the old version.
Additionally, research published in the scientific journal Nature has shown the ability of the the virus to pass between pigs and non-human primates without direct contact.
The National Institute of Health reported on the potential airborne transmission of the disease.
Abstract
“The potential of aerogenic infection by Ebola virus was established by using a head-only exposure aerosol system. Virus-containing droplets of 0.8-1.2 microns were generated and administered into the respiratory tract of rhesus monkeys via inhalation. Inhalation of viral doses as low as 400 plaque-forming units of virus caused a rapidly fatal disease in 4-5 days. The illness was clinically identical to that reported for parenteral virus inoculation, except for the occurrence of subcutaneous and venipuncture site bleeding and serosanguineous nasal discharge. Immunocytochemistry revealed cell-associated Ebola virus antigens present in airway epithelium, alveolar pneumocytes, and macrophages in the lung and pulmonary lymph nodes; extracellular antigen was present on mucosal surfaces of the nose, oropharynx and airways. Aggregates of characteristic filamentous virus were present within type I pneumocytes, macrophages, and air spaces of the lung by electron microscopy. Demonstration of fatal aerosol transmission of this virus in monkeys reinforces the importance of taking appropriate precautions to prevent its potential aerosol transmission to humans.”
Lancet has also reported on the airborne transmission of Ebola:
Abstract:
“Secondary transmission of Ebola virus infection in humans is known to be caused by direct contact with infected patients or body fluids. We report transmission of Ebola virus (Zaire strain) to two of three control rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) that did not have direct contact with experimentally inoculated monkeys held in the same room. The two control monkeys died from Ebola virus infections at 10 and 11 days after the last experimentally inoculated monkey had died. The most likely route of infection of the control monkeys was aerosol, oral or conjunctival exposure to virus-laden droplets secreted or excreted from the experimentally inoculated monkeys. These observations suggest approaches to the study of routes of transmission to and among humans.”
Even OSHA has reported on the possible transmission of Ebola through aerosol droplets.
“MODE OF TRANSMISSION: In an outbreak, it is hypothesized that the first patient becomes infected as a result of contact with an infected animal (15). Person-to-person transmission occurs via close personal contact with an infected individual or their body fluids during the late stages of infection or after death (1, 2, 15, 27). Nosocomial infections can occur through contact with infected body fluids due to the reuse of unsterilized syringes, needles, or other medical equipment contaminated with these fluids (1, 2). Humans may be infected by handling sick or dead non-human primates and are also at risk when handling the bodies of deceased humans in preparation for funerals, suggesting possible transmission through aerosol droplets (2, 6, 28). In the laboratory, infection through small-particle aerosols has been demonstrated in primates, and airborne spread among humans is strongly suspected, although it has not yet been conclusively demonstrated (1, 6, 13). The importance of this route of transmission is not clear. Poor hygienic conditions can aid the spread of the virus (6).”
CIDRAP (the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy) at the University of Minnesota urges healthcare workers to employ advanced personal protective equipment because of the threat of aerosol transmission:
“We believe there is scientific and epidemiologic evidence that Ebola virus has the potential to be transmitted via infectious aerosol particles both near and at a distance from infected patients, which means that healthcare workers should be wearing respirators, not facemasks.”
According to Dr. Barbara Knust of the CDC, HIGH RISK EXPOSURE includes:
“percutaneous or mucous membrane exposure to body fluids of a symptomatic Ebola virus patient, providing direct care of a symptomatic patient or exposure to blood and body fluids without standard bio safety precautions, doing processing of body fluids of confirmed patients without appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) or standard bio safety precautions and participation in funeral rites which include direct exposure to human remains in the geographic area where an outbreak is occurring without appropriate PPE.”
A lower exposure risk (but still a risk nonetheless) includes “having casual contact (within three feet) with an Ebola patient either by being a household member or providing patient care that is just a casual contact kind of a situation rather than direct exposure to blood and body fluid without PPE.”
NO. There are experimental drugs under development which have been tested on three individuals infected with Ebola. Two survived. As of the latest update to this site (September 30, 2014) there are no mass produced vaccines. Patients receive symptomatic treatment only.
USGOV AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
On April 8, 2014 the Department of Defense informed Congress that JBAIDS hemorrhagic fever testing systems had been deployed to National Guard units of all 50 States.
On July 31, 2014 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a Level 3 Travel Warning advising U.S. citizens to avoid nonessential travel to the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
On July 31, 2014 President Obama issued a new Executive Order with a revised list of quarantinable communicable diseases to include severe respiratory illnesses.
On Aug 1, 2014 Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization stated the Ebola outbreak “is moving faster than our efforts to control it,” and “If the situation continues to deteriorate, the consequences can be catastrophic in terms of lost lives but also severe socioeconomic disruption and a high risk of spread to other countries.”
On Aug 1, 2014 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued Ebola guidance to US Hospitals on Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients.
On Aug 3, 2014 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued Interim Guidance about Ebola Virus Infection for Airline Flight Crews, Cleaning Personnel, and Cargo Personnel
On Aug 6, 2014 it was announced that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) moved its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to its highest activation level, an action it last took during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.
On Aug 7, 2014 Tom Frieden, Director of the US Centers for Disease Control, told Congress that Ebola’s spread to US is ‘inevitable.‘
On Aug 15, 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the scale of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa had been “vastly underestimated” and “extraordinary measures” were needed to contain the disease.
On Aug 26, 2014 the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General issued a report stating that DHS is “ill-prepared” for combating a pandemic such as a global Ebola outbreak.
On Aug 28, 2014 The U.S. State Dept .warnedU.S. citizens traveling abroad that they may be subject to increased screening procedures, forced quarantineor be restricted by foreign governments from traveling for up to 21 days in response to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease.
On Sept 12, 2014 Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization, stated that Ebola virus cases in West Africa are rising faster than the ability to contain them.
On Sept 14, 2014 President Obama described the Ebola outbreak as a national security threat to the United States and has ordered the deployment of 3000 U.S. soldiers to the region to assist in the setting up field hospitals and isolation units, to provide protection for medical staff as well as other tasks in an effort to help in the overall international response.
On Sept 15, 2014 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a warning to all hospitals, clinics, doctors, infectious disease specialists and other medical professionals nationwide stating that “now is the time to prepare” for the eventual arrival of Ebola cases in the U.S..
On Sept 22, 2014 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a new report and forecast indicating there is potential for 1.4 MILLION Ebola cases by January 20, 2015.
On Sept 24, 2014 it was reported that U.S. waste management companies are refusing to haul away Ebola-related hospital wasteciting federal guidelines that require such materials to be handled in special packaging by people with hazardous materials training.
On Sept 30, 2014the Centers for Disease Control confirmed the first case of Ebola in a patient diagnosed in a U.S. hospital.
On Oct 2, 2014 the UN’s Ebola Chief Warned the Virus Could Become Airborne.
These and other extraordinary statements, efforts and developments should be YOUR indicators that the W. Africa Ebola outbreak has U.S. and international health
authorities particularly worried.
They should also serve as indicators that now is the time to make some preparations
of your own BEFORE there is a major national rush to do the same.
HOW CAN YOU AND YOUR FAMILY PREPARE?
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It is imperative that you stay well informed. If the Ebola virus begins to circulate in the U.S. or via airlines serving the U.S. market, you will want to find out at the soonest opportunity so as to begin to manage your risk factors (social contact, travel plans, kids in school, etc…) and take appropriate measures for yourself and family. No doubt the World Health Organization (WHO), the CDC, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations will continue to provide information on the spread of the virus, availability of medications and travel advisories. You can find a list of excellent information further down this page.
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Get your annual flu vaccination as early as possible. Many of the initial symptoms of Ebola are very similar to influenza (fever, nausea, muscle pain, headaches, etc..). While this will NOT protect you from the Ebola virus it will likely help keep you out of the medical system and thus reduce your chances of possibly falling under the purview of newly expanded list of quarantinable diseases which now includes severe acute respiratory syndromes (diseases that are associated with fever and signs and symptoms of pneumonia or other respiratory illness).
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Get a pneumonia vaccine shot. Here again, while this will NOT protect you from the Ebola virus it will likely help keep you out of the medical system and thus reduce your chances of possibly falling under the purview of newly expanded list of quarantinable diseases which now includes severe acute respiratory syndromes (diseases that are associated with fever and signs and symptoms of pneumonia or other respiratory illness). This is particularly important for individuals 65 and older as well as those with chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, severe allergies, etc..
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Become a hand washing fanatic and stop touching your face. This is a powerful habit to get into as a defense against numerous diseases. In the event of an epidemic / pandemic situation, you should wash your hands several times a day with a good antimicrobial scrub. Additionally, it would be wise to carry an alcohol-based disinfectant, though this should not be a substitute for thoroughly washing your hands regularly under running water.
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It is strongly recommended that airline travelers, including domestic passengers, become hyper sensitive about their proximity to those visibly ill during your trips. Given that dozens of planes arrive in the U.S. each hour from international locations, only to then diffuse into the domestic airline network, your increased, polite vigilance can only be a benefit to your overall safety. If they look sick, steer clear. This is not rude, but simple common sense.
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In the event of an epidemic / pandemic situation, you would be infinitely wise to exercise social distancing. This might seem like a no-brainer but the most effective way to prevent becoming infected by most communicable diseases is to avoid exposure to others who may be infected. As an infected individual is already contagious by the time symptoms appear, it is important that you stay informed.
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Familiarize yourself with guidance provided by the CDC and WHO for medical workers and airlines staff (listed above and below). Their recommendations on how workers should protect themselves apply equally well for the general population. Though the protective measures in these guidance documents obviously run into the extreme, it should be simple to adjust them to your particular situation.
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In the event of an epidemic / pandemic situation, be prepared to protect your breath with a respirator / mask. As indicated above, there is a body of evidence showing the Ebola virus is capable of airborne transmission via cough and sneeze plumes. As such, it is important to protect yourself from potentially inhaling the virus when in the presence of others. To this end, use only respirators labeled as “NIOSH certified,” “N95” or “N100,” as these help protect against inhalation of very small particles. Follow the directions and make sure the masks are worn properly to eliminate entry of unfiltered air between the mask and the sides of the face. Inexpensive sources are provided below.
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In the event of an epidemic / pandemic situation, be prepared to protect your hands. Wear medical grade disposable examination gloves. This will help protect you from possible contact with an infected individual or surfaces. These gloves are cheap enough that you should never have to reuse a pair. Wash your hands after careful removal. Inexpensive sources are provided below.
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In the event of an epidemic / pandemic situation, be prepared to protect your eyes. There are ample scientific studies showing that communicable diseases can be contracted by getting aerosolized particles and droplets in one’s eyes. Glasses are not sufficient protection. A pair of inexpensive chemistry lab goggles provides ample protection. Inexpensive sources are provided below.
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Be mindful of the fact that in the event of an epidemic / pandemic situation, there is the potential for disruption of basic services such as power, telephones, internet access, garbage pickup, and more. If the service relies upon a human for upkeep or operation, it is subject to problems due to widespread employee absenteeism or death toll. This concept can also be extended to other areas we take for granted including gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals and more. This is why it is essential to be prepared PRIOR to an emergency taking hold.
SIMPLE EXAMPLE:
In December, 2013, multiple Alaska Airlines flight crews were hit hard by influenza, resulting in flight cancellations.
EXTREME EXAMPLE:
In August 2014, both St. Joseph’s Catholic and John F. Kennedy Memorial hospitals in Liberia shut down after workers at both facilities abandoned their work following the deaths of many staff members.
While there is the perception that the American medical system is much better equipped to handle an outbreak, do not be deceivedinto complacency. Medical staff in America are just as susceptible to the virus as other geographic locations. In the event of an epidemic or pandemic situation, hospitals WILL be overwhelmed. When medical staff begin becominginfected, it is wise to presume that a certain percentage of the staff WILL simply not report to work. Further, as many nurses and supportstaff in the U.S. are unionized, there is also a HIGH probability that this will happen sooner rather than later into a public health emergency if the threats are sufficient.
The signs are already here. In September, 2014, approximately 1000 unionized nurses protested in the streets of Las Vegas over the fact that U.S. hospitals are not ready to handle a major Ebola outbreak.
Additional preparedness steps you should realistically already have completed for other emergency situations:
• Stock up on essential medications (insulin, BP meds, Mom’s Xanax, etc…).
• Stock up on necessities such as food and water. Prepare at least a two month supply. The focus should be on nonperishable foods and meals that do not require cooking.
• Plan for the possibility that banks will be closed or ATMs empty or out of service. As such, if you learn of a potential epidemic or pandemic situation forming, it is wise to keep a supply of cash on hand.
• Discuss emergency preparations with your family. Make a plan so that children will know what to do and where to go if you are incapacitated or killed, or if family members cannot communicate with each other. These are drastic measures, but unfortunately necessary.
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If you think you or a member of your family is becoming ill in a epidemic / pandemic situation, it is important that you NOT IMMEDIATELY RUSH TO THE HOSPITAL. The simple reality is that you will likely encounter desperate throngs of other sick individuals doing the exact same thing. The chances are also very good that hospitals and other medical facilities will already be overwhelmed.
Attempt to call the hospital emergency room BEFORE setting out to find medical attention. FOLLOW THEIR GUIDANCE TO THE LETTER.
For any clear thinking adult, this reason alone should be motivation to follow the preparedness guidance in this document BEFORE a pandemic scenario is upon us. Additionally, if the government is currently allocating significant amounts of capital and other resources to preparing for a possible epidemic / pandemic, this should be your signal to make some preparations of your own.
The lives of yourself and family could hang in the balance.
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Reblogged this on J & J Ranch Stone Mountain GA and commented:
http://www.ebolaready.com/ provided this important information!
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