Ebola in the US: What You Need to Know

There was another Ebola case identified in Texas this past Monday; the nurse who was taking care of a patient with Ebola contracted the disease at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Even though the nurse wore a gown, gloves, mask, and a shield during her visits with the patient Thomas Duncan, the hospital claims, “there was a breach in protocol.” This is the first known transmission of Ebola in the United States and is the second diagnosis in the country. This nurse was involved in the care of Duncan after he was put into isolation and was said to have “extensive contact” in multiple situations. The CDC is confident that they can prevent the spread to the wider community.

Even though these cases of Ebola are concerning, the CDC is prepared for the issues that will arise. Unlike many diseases, Ebola cannot be spread through the air or water: it is necessary to have contact with the person or be in contact with bodily fluid to contract the disease. The CDC asserts that hospitals all over the country are prepared to handle cases of Ebola and have implemented guidelines for what to do in these types of situations. The CDC considers shaking hands and other skin-to-skin contact an unlikely and “low-risk” method to contract the disease. Federal health officials feel confident in their ability to contain the Ebola virus in the United States.

Update: Nearly 50 people who came in contact with Thomas Duncan were cleared Monday, October 20th, after two weeks of monitoring. The entire country of Nigeria was declared “Ebola Free” Tuesday morning after surviving 42 days, double the incubation period of the disease, without a single new case. Liberia continues to suffer.