Ebola is a viral disease that is spread through body fluids. It can survive in blood, mucus semen, saliva and even sweat. While a number of vaccines are at different phases of clinical trials, none has been approved for use in humans. The only way of ensuring that you remain protected is staying away from the virus. Personal protective equipment may confer Ebola protection when used in accordance with the existing guidelines.
Personal protective equipment is effective in keeping out the virus. It is important to mention that this can only be achieved with the correct use of the equipment. Ensure that you cover your entire body using a gown, medical gloves, a face mask, a shield and protective eye wear. Two pairs of gloves should be worn when handling needles.
Washing hands regularly helps to reduce the risk of transmission. Soap and water are often sufficient. If you have trouble getting water, you may use an alcohol based hand sanitizer as an alternative. Items that have been used by an infected person are likely to be contaminated and should not be reused, any rooms that have been used by infected persons should be hosed down before reuse.
Disinfection and sterilization are procedures that can be instituted whenever there is a need to reuse equipment that has been contaminated. Chlorine bleach is particularly effective for needles and other sharps. The sharps are typically soaked in the bleach for about thirty minutes to kill the virus. This process has to be repeated at least twice. The bleach may also be used on large equipment and surfaces.
When a person dies from Ebola, the virus does not die with them. As a matter of fact, this is the time during which the virus numbers are highest and transmission is most likely to take place. There should be no direct contact with the body under any circumstances. You need to inform you local public health officials who will make arrangements to dispose of it.
Other animals other than human beings have also been shown to be hosts of the virus. Some of the well known animals that are commonly infected include fruit eating bats in the tropical rainforests and non-human primates. It is widely believed that the first infection in humans originated from these hosts. Any fluids and tissues from these animals may transmit the illness and should be avoided.
Persons with a history of recent travel to an endemic area need to undergo self monitoring for a few days. They should look out for a fever that is usually associated with other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pains, unexplained bleeding or headache. The wise thing to do once these symptoms are experienced is to contact the public health department. The disease takes about two weeks to incubate before symptoms are experienced.
The control of the Ebola outbreak can only be achieved by interrupting the chain of transmission. Any person that is suspected to have contracted Ebola or has been confirmed to have the same should be kept in isolation. They should only be handled by properly trained personnel who have the required equipment for the task.
Personal protective equipment is effective in keeping out the virus. It is important to mention that this can only be achieved with the correct use of the equipment. Ensure that you cover your entire body using a gown, medical gloves, a face mask, a shield and protective eye wear. Two pairs of gloves should be worn when handling needles.
Washing hands regularly helps to reduce the risk of transmission. Soap and water are often sufficient. If you have trouble getting water, you may use an alcohol based hand sanitizer as an alternative. Items that have been used by an infected person are likely to be contaminated and should not be reused, any rooms that have been used by infected persons should be hosed down before reuse.
Disinfection and sterilization are procedures that can be instituted whenever there is a need to reuse equipment that has been contaminated. Chlorine bleach is particularly effective for needles and other sharps. The sharps are typically soaked in the bleach for about thirty minutes to kill the virus. This process has to be repeated at least twice. The bleach may also be used on large equipment and surfaces.
When a person dies from Ebola, the virus does not die with them. As a matter of fact, this is the time during which the virus numbers are highest and transmission is most likely to take place. There should be no direct contact with the body under any circumstances. You need to inform you local public health officials who will make arrangements to dispose of it.
Other animals other than human beings have also been shown to be hosts of the virus. Some of the well known animals that are commonly infected include fruit eating bats in the tropical rainforests and non-human primates. It is widely believed that the first infection in humans originated from these hosts. Any fluids and tissues from these animals may transmit the illness and should be avoided.
Persons with a history of recent travel to an endemic area need to undergo self monitoring for a few days. They should look out for a fever that is usually associated with other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pains, unexplained bleeding or headache. The wise thing to do once these symptoms are experienced is to contact the public health department. The disease takes about two weeks to incubate before symptoms are experienced.
The control of the Ebola outbreak can only be achieved by interrupting the chain of transmission. Any person that is suspected to have contracted Ebola or has been confirmed to have the same should be kept in isolation. They should only be handled by properly trained personnel who have the required equipment for the task.
