In case you missed it, NBC News aired an exclusive interview this week with Ebola survivor, Dr. Kent Brantly. We find his story of human survival and recovery inspiring and will be watching the full interview when it airs tomorrow night, September 5.
As we watch as cases are still being reported (none of which have been reported in the United States), we can’t help but ask ourselves, what are my chances of being exposed to the virus, a severe and often fatal disease? “We’ve received a few calls with questions about Ebola,” said Patricia Burns, RN, CIC, manager of infection control at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “What I tell people is that the risk is very small if you’re not planning to travel to one of the affected areas.”
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), those at highest risk are healthcare workers and family and friends of patients with Ebola in disease-endemic areas, because those individuals may come in contact with infected blood or bodily fluids.
Burns continued: “If we do have cases like Dr. Brantly in the United States, we can treat them safely because we do have the precautions necessary. That’s the difference between the U.S. and West Africa.”
Medical supplies such as gloves, disinfectants, isolations rooms, blood pressure medications, oxygen and IV fluids are accessible in the United States and are needed to prevent the spread of the disease as well as support the patient, since there is no treatment.
“If people are worried about flying or going to airports, it’s good to know that the CDC is leading certain protocols such as temperature screenings in airports,” Burns said. There’s a plan in place if someone gets sick or presents symptoms while on a plane.
If you have more questions about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the CDC website offers signs and symptoms, prevention, risk of exposure information and more.
