Ebola Virus: What you should know

Since the Spring of this year, an outbreak of the Ebola Virus has hit West Africa. A handful of people stricken with the virus have been treated in the United States, including now at least two healthcare workers. Of those, one patient treated in Dallas passed away. The others are recovering.

In the interests of public information, East Jefferson General Hospital wants you to know these facts about the Ebola Virus and your risks related to it:

• The virus is only spread by contact with the bodily fluids of someone who currently has the Ebola Virus. (this includes tears, sweat, urine, feces, saliva, semen, blood, and vomit)
• The virus is NOT spread through air or water.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, you are only at risk if you have traveled to West Africa in the past three weeks or come in contact with the bodily fluids of someone who has been in West Africa in the past three weeks while that person displayed symptoms of infection. Those nations include Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gambia, and Senegal.

EJGH is working very closely with the CDC and the state Department of Health and Hospitals concerning Ebola preparedness. Our hospital’s emergency management committee is in constant contact with state and federal officials to monitor this health concern, and we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our patients, team members, and community.

We urge you to always take medical symptoms seriously and consult your physician if you suspect you have any ailment requiring medical attention.

Go to CDC.GOV for more information.