Ebola Virus Disease Commonly Asked Questions

Transcription

1 Ebola Virus Disease Commonly Asked Questions Q.1: Q.2: Q.3: Q.4: What is Ebola? Ebola (also known as Ebola Virus Disease or EVD) is a severe illness that can infect humans and non-human primates (i.e., chimpanzees, and gorillas), as well as other animals such as forest antelopes. Bats are thought to be the natural reservoir of this virus. This virus can spread between animals and humans. Animals in Canada and the NWT are not infected. How is Ebola transmitted? Ebola virus can be found in bodily fluids from an infected person including blood, urine, saliva, stool, vomit, tears, breast milk and semen. There is no evidence that sweat from an infected patient contains Ebola virus, but it s wise to ensure that all secretions are handled with care. An individual can only become infected with Ebola virus through direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is infected, or through direct contact with contaminated materials such as linens or clothing that are soiled with infected bodily fluids. Ebola virus cannot be transmitted by mosquitos or through the air. Casual interactions such as walking by or talking to a person do not constitute a potential exposure. An infected person becomes more infectious as they become sicker. Proper, consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and rigorous infection control practices are essential in preventing Ebola virus infection while caring for patients. Information on the use of PPE can be found in the NWT Infection Prevention and Control Manual (January 2012) at the following Link: As well, health care providers must continue to be vigilant in the proper use and disposal of sharps and ensure prompt disposal in sharps containers. Needle-stick injuries can result in the transmission of Ebola. How long after an infection with Ebola does a person get sick? The incubation period is 2-21 days, although it s more commonly 8-10 days. The incubation period is the time between when the person is exposed to the Ebola virus until the person begins to show signs and symptoms of the disease. Are Ebola cases infectious during the incubation period? People infected with Ebola are NOT considered to be contagious until they start to have symptoms. Last Updated: October 27, 2014 Page 1 of 5

2 Q.5: Q.6: Q.7: Q.8: Q.9: What are the signs and symptoms associated with Ebola? Ebola is a severe illness that starts with the sudden onset of fever, usually with headache, not feeling well and muscle aches. Gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e., diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting) are also common. Additional symptoms may occur (i.e., sore throat, chest pain, cough, rash, red eyes). In 50% of cases, bleeding also occurs, and can include bursting of blood vessels, bruising, blood present in vomit and urine and nose bleeds. Abnormal blood cell counts and elevated liver enzymes are common laboratory findings. The risk of dying from Ebola once a person is becomes sick currently averages around 50%. Can Ebola be transmitted through the air? No. Person-to-person transmission occurs through direct contact with infected body fluids from someone who is sick, or with material contaminated with body fluids. Can I get Ebola from contaminated food or water? You can t catch Ebola from drinking water. However, Ebola has been transmitted to people in Africa through handling and/or eating fruit bats, non-human primates or other animals like forest antelopes (known as bush meat ) that are infected with the virus. Animals in the NWT do not carry or transmit the Ebola virus. How long can the Ebola virus survive in the environment? In general, the survival of any virus depends on temperature, humidity and presence of organic matter, such as blood or body fluids. In experiments, Ebola has been found to survive for variable periods of time. In one study under real life conditions the virus could only be detected on objects contaminated with blood, and the virus was not detected at all in the environment after cleaning with products that are routinely available in health facilities, including those in the NWT s health centres and hospitals. What is the risk of the general public becoming infected with Ebola? The risk of infection for the general population in the NWT is extremely low, unless a person has recently traveled to an area experiencing an Ebola outbreak and has done activities that put them at risk. Q.10: Is treatment available for a person with Ebola? Is there a vaccine? Currently there are no approved vaccines or treatments for Ebola. Some experimental drug treatments and a vaccine have been developed and are now being tested. Canada is one of the world leaders in this work. Individuals infected with Ebola are provided with intensive supportive therapy, such as oral or intravenous rehydration, and blood transfusions to treat severe anemia resulting from bleeding. Last Updated: October 27, 2014 Page 2 of 5

3 Q.11: Has the NWT ever had a case of Ebola? What is Canada doing to prevent a case of Ebola from entering the country or NWT? The NWT and the rest of Canada have never had a case of Ebola. Small shortlived outbreaks of Ebola have occurred in Saharan Africa since the 1970s, including in Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d Ivoire, Gabon and Uganda. The current outbreak of Ebola is limited to 3 countries in West Africa, with cases being reported in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Nigeria and Senegal saw a few cases, but have now been declared free of Ebola. A much smaller and geographically isolated outbreak with a different strain of Ebola virus is currently happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For more information, visit: The risk of seeing a case of Ebola in the NWT is extremely low. Currently, airports in affected countries are screening all passengers leaving their country for symptoms of Ebola. Canada also has introduced procedures to identify sick travellers upon their arrival in Canada: All travellers who have been through an Ebola-affected country or have been in contact with someone with Ebola infection will be identified by Canadian Borders Services Agency (CBSA) agents and referred to a Quarantine Officer for detailed screening and temperature check. The reporting of ill travellers arriving on international flights to Quarantine Officers is also required by airlines and airport authorities. Anyone found to be symptomatic for Ebola at the time of screening by the Quarantine Officers will immediately be referred for medical assessment and will not be allowed to continue travel to their destination until cleared by a medical doctor. There are no direct flights to the NWT from anywhere outside Canada, so no one will arrive in the NWT without being screened at their point of entry into Canada. The names of any asymptomatic individual coming from one of the 3 affected countries who are allowed to travel further and intend to come to the NWT will be reported immediately to the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) by the federal Quarantine Officer. They will be required to report to the OCPHO within 24 hours of arrival at their destination. The NWT OCPHO is prepared to receive these notifications and will ensure further assessment and follow-up are done throughout the remaining 21 day incubation period. Q.12: What are the implications for travel during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa? Due to the continued transmission of Ebola occurring in affected countries, the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that Canadians avoid all nonessential travel to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Link for current Travel Health Advisories: Last Updated: October 27, 2014 Page 3 of 5

4 Travellers should follow strict infection prevention and control measures while away, and monitor themselves for symptoms upon return to Canada. Q.13: Is a person infectious after they recover from Ebola? An individual is infectious only as long as their blood or body fluids contain the Ebola virus. Typically, an infected person will either pass away or start to get better 8-10 days after they begin to show symptoms. Recovering patients must stay in the hospital for 2-3 weeks. The time varies, but they can usually be discharged once their blood is clear of the active virus. Ebola has been detectable in the semen of those who are recovering from Ebola infection for up to seven weeks after recovery. People who have recovered from Ebola are advised to abstain from sex or use latex condoms for three months following recovery. Q.14: What is Canada doing to prepare for a possible case of Ebola? Canada has been on the forefront in providing resources to West Africa to stop the spread of the disease at its source. They have deployed laboratory staff, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and supplies to West Africa to assist in the control of the disease. Canada is leading the way to develop drug treatments and a vaccine for Ebola. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) provides frequent updates to frontline health care professionals through weekly communication with the Provincial and Territorial Chief Public Health Officers. PHAC has established Rapid Response Teams with trained professionals, extra PPE and experimental vaccine that will be deployed immediately to any health facility in Canada that reports a confirmed case of Ebola. Q15. What is the NWT doing to prepare for a possible case of Ebola? In the NWT, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) is collaborating closely with Health Canada, the CPHO of Canada, and other provinces and territories to share updated research, guidelines and best practices, and to explore the potential for nationally coordinated approaches. The Department of Health and Social Services is working with regional Authorities to communicate expert guidance information from PHAC to frontline workers, and to ensure that our staff have all the PPE they need. Teleconferences with frontline health care workers have been established to share information and address concerns or questions. The Office of the CPHO is ready to provide assistance to frontline staff on the remote chance that a suspect or confirmed Ebola patient is identified in an NWT community. The CPHO will provide clinical advice to frontline staff on a case-bycase basis, and will immediately draw in the necessary Ebola-specific expertise, including the federal government s Rapid Response Team. All Authorities are routinely reviewing infection control protocols and procedures as Last Updated: October 27, 2014 Page 4 of 5

5 outlined in the NWT Infection Prevention and Control Manual. Authorities are ensuring their inventories of PPE are current and staff are adequately trained in infection control. Once national guidelines on enhanced PPE requirements are set for prescribed levels of risk to health professionals, the Department and HSS Authorities will work together to secure and place these resources for rapid deployment and use. Health worker safety is the top priority in all HSS system preparations. An NWT Infection Control Committee is being established with representation from the Department and regional Authorities. This forum brings together lead staff to support infection control planning and training within the HSS system. Selected information adapted from PIDAC Public Health Ontario: Last Updated: October 27, 2014 Page 5 of 5