With recent headlines talking about Ebola virus infections in the US, many parents will wonder what, if anything, they need to be concerned about. While Ebola is a deadly disease, it is difficult to spread and contract.
According to the CDC:
- You can’t get Ebola through air
- You can’t get Ebola through water
- You can’t get Ebola through food
And you can only become infected with Ebola by:
- Touching the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick or has died from Ebola
- Touching contaminated objects, like needles
- Touching infected animals, their blood or other body fluids, or their meat
While the disease has reached epidemic proportions in parts of Western Africa, the chance of an individual contracting Ebola here is practically non-existent. Needless to say, families and individuals must take into account the risks involved if they are planning on traveling to Ebola regions in West Africa.
In addition, the State of Connecticut is taking a proactive approach in monitoring for possible cases, and in evaluating individuals who have recently traveled from Ebola endemic areas. As explained recently by Governor Molloy, any individual who has traveled to Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, or Guinea in the last 21 days, or has had contact with a person who has Ebola virus disease, and then becomes sick with a fever or any of the symptoms of Ebola virus disease must be sent to a hospital and placed in isolation.
In addition, individuals who are not sick, but have traveled to affected areas or been in contact with an infected individual, will be required to stay at home for 21 days and be monitored by public health officials.
Rather than be afraid of Ebola virus, through knowledge, awareness and proper reporting, we can all feel safe as we go about our daily activities with friends and family.
Helpful links:
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/
http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp
http://news.yale.edu/2014