Contracting Ebola: Who Is Really At Risk?
Headlines across the globe have detailed the horrific nightmare of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Many Americans were shocked and disturbed to realize that the Ebola virus, which was an ocean away, had arrived in the United States with cases in Texas and New York. When news stories use images of Hazmat suits and photos of frightening symptoms, it’s easy to get swept up in the hype. And this same emotion makes it difficult to find and process reliable information.
BUT WHAT ARE THE FACTS ABOUT EBOLA?
Following are some facts about how Ebola is transmitted and who is at risk of contracting it.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), those who are at greatest risk of contracting Ebola are health care providers or those who have been caring for family or friends who have Ebola. Also at risk are those who eat and handle bush meat (food from wild animals), which is common in many parts of Africa; Ebola may be contracted through infected animals. Contamination is possible by handling clothes, bedding, needles or medical equipment that have come in contact with the bodily fluids of Ebola patients.
ON U.S. SOIL
But of course, there is one question that is at the forefront of everyone’s mind: can an Ebola outbreak happen in the United States?
According to the CDC, the chances are very slim. Why? Because Ebola is NOT spread through casual contact. In addition, because health officials know how Ebola is spread, hospitals and medical centers have resources available to isolate patients to prevent contagion. The U.S. also has extensive resources that can be dedicated to locating those with whom infected patients may have had contact, and hospitals have experience with other serious viral infections that are spread in a similar manner to Ebola.
Officials at the CDC have also issued a Level 3 travel for several West African countries. This means that Americans should avoid all non-essential travel to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. A Level 2 alert is in effect for Mali and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which means travelers should be on high alert and avoid being in contact with blood or bodily fluids of those who are infected.
The CDC recommends that travelers who must go to an infected area avoid touching the body of anyone who has died from Ebola; these travelers should also avoid contact with animals such as apes and bats, as well as any food prepared from these animals.
For more information, and to keep track of the latest travel alerts and information on Ebola, visit www.cdc.gov.
