Ebola:

What You Need to Know

We recognize that even a single case of
Ebola in the United States seems
threatening, but the simple truth is that we
do know how to stop the spread of Ebola
between people.
Beth Bell, MD, MPH, Director of the National
Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious
Diseases
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever is a rare, deadly
disease caused by the Filoviridae Ebolavirus.
There are currently 5 strains of the virus, 4
of which are infectious to humans.
The outbreak of this deadly disease is
affecting multiple countries in West Africa.
The CDC has confirmed two imported cases,
including one death, and two locally acquired
cases in healthcare workers in the United
States. That number has since increased.

The CDC is also currently working and taking

precautions to help stop the spread of Ebola
within the US.

So how can you protect yourself and others

from developing Ebola? Here is what you need
to know:
An individual affected with Ebola can't
spread the disease until they develop
symptoms.
- Time from exposure to the first appearance
of symptoms, also known as the incubation
period, is anywhere from 2-21 days, but on
average 8-10 days.
Signs and Symptoms:
Fever (100.4F/38C or higher)
Severe Headache
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Weakness
Stomach Pain
Muscle Aches
Unexplained bleeding or bruising
Recovery from Ebola depends on good
supportive clinical care and the patients
immune response.
- Patients who recover develop antibodies
that last for at least 10 years, or longer.
- It is unknown if a patient will be immune for
life of if they can become infected with a
different strain of Ebola.

[Senior CCC RN students: Katie Baumes, Amelia O'Bryan, Colleen Ryan, and Jimmy
Spinelli]

Ebola:
What You Need to Know
Ebola is spread through DIRECT CONTACT
with blood or body fluids from infected
individuals.
- Other body fluids include urine, feces,
vomit, sweat, and semen.
- Ebola can also be transmitted on objects
that have been contaminated such as needles.
How to protect yourself...
-There is currently no FDA approved vaccine.
-There are currently experimental vaccines
and treatments being developed but they
haven't been fully tested for safety and
effectiveness.
- Do wash your hands with soap and water, or
an alcohol-based hand sanitizer often.
- Do Not touch the blood or body fluids of an
individual who is sick, or items that may have
come in contact with that individuals blood or
body fluids (i.e. bedding, clothing, needles,
medical equipment etc).
- Do Not touch the body of an individual who
has died of Ebola.

action if needed. You may need to isolate

yourself.
If you get sick after returning from an
area with an Ebola outbreak...
- Seek medical care immediately if you are
experiencing the symptoms previously listed.
- Notify your doctor about your recent travel
to West Africa or contact with an individual
infected with Ebola BEFORE you go to your
doctor's office or local ER.
These NYS hospitals are equipped and
prepared to admit individuals suspected of
having Ebola:

Mt Sinai in Manhattan, NY
Bellevue in Manhattan, NY

New York Presbyterian in Manhattan

Montefiore in the Bronx, NY

North Shore/LIJ Health System in
Nassau County

Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse,

NY (Downtown and Community Campus)
University of Rochester Medical Center in
Rochester, NY

If you are exposed to Ebola whether you

have traveled to an area with the disease,
or have had contact with an individual who
has been sick with Ebola, you should...
- Check for signs and symptoms for 21 days.
-Take your temperature in the morning and
evening
- Call your doctor, even if you don't have
symptoms, for further instructions; your
doctor can evaluate your level of exposure
and contact public health authorities to take

Stony Brook University Hospital on Long

Island
Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo
in Buffalo, NY
Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, NY

For more information on Ebola and how you

can protect yourself and others, visit:
www.cdc.gov
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factshe
ets/fs103/en/
http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/commu
nicable/ebola/

[Senior CCC RN students: Katie Baumes, Amelia O'Bryan, Colleen Ryan, and Jimmy
Spinelli]

Ebola:
What You Need to Know

[Senior CCC RN students: Katie Baumes, Amelia O'Bryan, Colleen Ryan, and Jimmy
Spinelli]