The Ebola virus is certainly one of the most deadly viruses jeopardizing human lives and even entire generations in Africa and now on other continents.
Prevent Contracting the Ebola Virus
There is no FDA-approved vaccine intended for preventing or reversing Ebola but if you travel to, or if you are in contact with people from countries affected by Ebola or in an outbreak-country, practicing the following procedures will help to prevent contracting the disease.
Researchers still haven’t discovered what may initially cause Ebola in humans but they believe it is the result of contact with bats, primates (apes, chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons, etc) or meat prepared from the bodies of bats or primates. After initial infection has occurred human-to-human transmission can happen easily and may quickly expand to become an outbreak.
The virus enters the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin or through mucus membranes such as your mouth, nose, eyes or ears.
To prevent contracting Ebola, follow these simple steps:
- Maintain healthy hygiene, including washing hands with soap and warm water, using alcohol-based cleaners and avoiding contact with other people’s blood or bodily fluids.
- Avoid contact with anything that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or bodily fluid including needles and medical equipment used for extracting or analyzing blood, containers used for transporting, and cloths, clothes or bedding used to clean blood or bodily fluids.
- Avoid going to funerals or other traditional or customary burial events where the body of a person who died from the Ebola virus will be on display or may be handled.
- Do not handle or go near bats or primates. Do not consume raw meat prepared from the bodies of bats or primates.
- Avoid the outbreak region of West Africa including Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. This region is historically more likely to have an outbreak than other countries.
- Upon returning home from a trip where people may have been exposed to Ebola or other people who are already infected with the Ebola virus, a 21 day self monitoring is required (your local department of health and police department can advise on what is legally required of you upon return to your country).
Healthcare Workers who are Exposed to Ebola
Healthcare workers who are in close proximity to people infected by the Ebola virus should:
Wear effective personal protective gear, including protective plastic sheathing over clothes
Do not allow bare skin to be exposed to another person’s bodily fluids including as a result of sneezing and coughing, shaking hands or other casual contact.
Sterilize tools and equipment used on infected people and do not reuse equipment until it has been sterilized again.
Move patients of Ebola to isolation so they don’t infect other patients.
Do not touch the exposed skin of an infected person through moving their body or by other contact.
Alert health officials immediately if you or other healthcare workers come in contact with an infected person’s feces, saliva, urine, vomit, vaginal fluid or semen.