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Ebola, news and discussion
I wanted to talk about the Ebola virus, but didn't want to take over the news thread.
What is the latest news? What are your fears? Are you doing anything different to insure your/your family's safety, just in case of epidemic? Let's talk! |
I am very concerned about this virus based on what i know/don't know about our preparedness for an epidemic.
I know that labs, hospitals, the CDC and the Government working together is a nightmare waiting to happen. The Government is slloooowwww to react and take responcibility, the CDC says States need to be in charge. Do labs have the ability to handle this type of special virus for a large number of blood samples? Do mortuaries know what to do? We have begun to take precautions here...stockpiling food, water, gloves, masks, sanitizer and other household items, in the event that we need to stay out of public areas as much as possible. If not needed for this, then we have better earthquake supplies! Lol While i know theorectically we are in much better shape than Africa is to fight the spread, we have seen how easily (sending home Mr. Duncun with a 103* fever, or a careless hospital) ebola is spread. What if he had gone to a sporting event and sneezed on a few people, or used the restroom and body fluids might have mingled on the faucets or door handles? Or worse yet, what if somebody infected WANTED to infect others as with HIV/AIDS? One person infects 5, who infect 25, who infect????? |
You beat me to the punch. :)
The latest news that I have heard: I awoke this morning to discover that a second person has been diagnosed with Ebola...a nurse who cared for Thomas Duncan. Not surprising. I think it will get worse before it gets better. I don't think the CDC is telling all they know for fear of "panic from the people." My fears are that this virus not only takes advantage of human mistakes as most contagious things are apt to do, but that every time it copies itself, it mutates causing it to change the way it behaves. Conceivably, the virus could become contagious via airborne methods if it mutates in just the right way. No one can say what it will do though. "They" say it is unlikely, but "they" have said a lot of things that are not based in truth. What am I doing differently: I am even more conscientious with regard to hand washing than I was before. Not OCD about it, just thorough and often. I went through my first aid preps and made sure that I have adequate supplies. Other than that just stay informed about what Ebola is, how it is transmitted at this time and how to prevent getting it. |
Having had much of my family that had been allover the globe in the service of this country I have always been prepared for something to happen no matter if it was a weather related event of some other thing happening that my family should be ready to handle it as much as we can.One of the room's hear has a huge walk in closet we have made into a large pantry,it has a fairly large amount of medical supplies.There several boxes of m.r.e's that we keep adding to as we go along,can goods and plenty of water as well as water purification kits,food and meds for the fur kids,battrie's of all kinds plus chargers for them.Last year my son put in secondary power system's both gas and disel and recently he bought some solar panels to put on the roof.Extra clothes and bedding are also included,for our protection we are fully loaded with various types of weapon's.I realise it sounds like a bit much but after what happen in NOLA after Katrina I figure being safe is priority one.
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I don't only have concerns about Ebola but also about Marburg.
Anyone read this news item in CNN? There was nothing about it in the news. As easily as Duncan came into the USA, anyone can. I do not have a lot of faith in the airport "screening". If someone is not running a temperature when they get here, they could be in the prodomal stage (interval from onset of nonspecific signs and symptoms- to more specific symptoms. During this time, microorganisms grow and multiply, and the infected person may be more capable of spreading disease to others). "99 in Uganda quarantined after Marburg virus death From Samson Ntale, for CNN updated 9:29 AM EDT, Wed October 8, 2014 STORY HIGHLIGHTS 30-year-old male health worker in Uganda dies of Marburg Marburg is an Ebola-like hemorrhagic fever 99 put into isolation At least 11 test negative Kampala, Uganda -- (CNN) -- Three days after a fatal case of Marburg hemorrhagic fever was diagnosed in Uganda, 99 people have been quarantined in four different locations across the East African country, as field epidemiologists and surveillance officers continue to closely monitor all people who got into contact with only victim. More than 60 health workers form the bulk of people under quarantine after they were identified as having contact with a 30-year old male health worker who died September 28 of Marburg -- an Ebola-like hemorrhagic fever. "As of today, a total of 99 contacts are under follow up. All the contacts are still in a healthy condition," Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, director general for health services in Uganda, said in the latest update on the outbreak on Tuesday. "The National Taskforce through the field epidemiologists and surveillance officers continues to closely monitor all people who got into contact with this confirmed case," she noted. "However, for those who continue to have signs, tests will be run again after three days," Dr. Aceng said. Among those who tested negative include are the brother of the deceased; two health workers from a children HIV/AIDS hospital; seven persons from Mpigi Health Center IV; and two relatives of the deceased who participated in the burial. Marburg virus was first identified in 1967, when 31 people became sick in Germany and Yugoslavia in an outbreak that was eventually traced back to laboratory monkeys imported from Uganda. Since then the virus has appeared sporadically, with just a dozen outbreaks on record, many -- including the current situation -- involving just a single patient. Marburg virus causes symptoms similar to Ebola, beginning with fever and weakness and often leading to internal or external bleeding, organ failure and death. The death rate runs as high as 80 percent, although it was significantly lower in the initial outbreak when patients were cared for in relatively modern, European hospitals. The most recent outbreak, also in Uganda, in 2012, killed four out of 15 patients, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Tuesday, CDC Director Thomas Frieden pointed to the most recent Marburg case as an example of how a deadly virus could be contained. "I mention this, because oftentimes in public health, what gets noticed is what happens and it's hard to see what doesn't happen," Frieden continued, noting that there have so far been no additional cases. "That may not make headlines, but it does give us confidence that we can control Ebola in West Africa." http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/health...marburg-death/ |
Normally things don't bother me but this has me terrified.
The CDC isn't educating ANYONE as they should. The administration doesn't seem to realize the danger that is poses to us if we don't rethink how we are reacting to travel from the countries hit the hardest with this thing. And if there are cases popping up in countries we have open travel with......we have to be honest about the risks. My main problem is the lack of urgency shown by the CDC. The more they minimize it, the more ignorance is going to be the cause of this spreading. I'm not advocating creating a major scale panic by any means but if the treating team at a hospital doesn't understand how to keep themselves safe, how is the general public supposed to understand. I'm sure most people would think this is totally stupid but I've dealt with at least 15 outbreaks of Equine Encephalitis. It's spread exactly as the CDC and medical professionals say Ebola is. It is a major problem. The danger point is when it hasn't quite been diagnosed. That horse, or person in this case is contagious and nobody knows about it. There is a strict protocol on how to deal with it after it's diagnosed. A specific way to don protective gear and an even stricter one to take it off. Bleach, disinfectant and quarantine are vital to kill the pathogen. I think if people want to know how to stay safe with Ebola if they are in a zone where it's visable, they should research Encephalitis protocol. As weird as that sounds. :blush: As for what I'm doing differently?? So far I'm not overly concerned about me or the immediate family around here. It's AJ I'm worried about. He's driving all over the country in a semi-truck having to touch all kinds of things that the general public touches everyday. Less than sanitary to say the least. He's got gloves, germ-x and bleach. And when he has his home time in three weeks I'll be teaching him how to disinfect stuff and to put on, but more importantly, take OFF protective gear. I know I sound like a crazy person but seriously, if anyone's dealt with an encephalitis outbreak at a major equine center, they'd understand why I sound like a cracked nut. Sorry, I rambled. :eatinghersheybar: |
Would you mind explaining to us how to safely remove protective gear? Do you dispose of it? How? Can you wash it?
Handling things others have touched makes my skin crawl. (During these super cootie days) think about it.... fast food ... groceries ... magazines in offices...ewwww. This is enough to make you get your zombie apocalypse gear ready. :vigil: |
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It was crazy in NOLA at that time,a group from where I worked wen't to cook for the people,I never have cooked so much food in such a short time as I did then.We slept on the floor in sleeping bags,no showers any where,the port-a-potty's were in rows by the hundreds it looked like.It was the people of Louisiana who stepped up to the plate to help the needy while the government drug it's ass.I hope nothing like this happen's in my home town. |
I think I'm more concerned about foreign travelers bringing that infectious dreaded disease of Ebola over here via air travel. I've studied microbiology, my cousin's wife is a Microbiologist and works at the Lab that tested Duncan's blood sample in Austin, TX. She says not to panic and that the news is making people more fearful than they should be of this disease because it's not airborne. She also says You should be just as concerned about flu virus that has caused many many deaths that IS an airborne virus and that has been known to cause Pandemic outbreaks killing thousands across the Globe.
Me, I'm fearful of it spreading from traveling foreigners lying to airport personnel about being in direct contact with someone that is ill with Ebola and then doing what Duncan did and come to the US. IT also makes me wonder if he lied in hopes of getting treatment here because he knew he had been in direct contact with someone that was sick with it and was coming here just in case he got sick so he could get better treatment in the states than in Lyberia where he is from, even though he said his reason was for visiting family here. I dunno, all this makes me shiver a bit . I"m not going to full out panic, but I am watching the news here closely in Dallas, I live an hour East of there. I know it's harsh, but I think travel from African countries should be terminated so as NOT to spread this dreadful disease to other countries. Let the CDC and healthcare workers get those countries educated and in control before travel can resume. Just my .02 and it may be a harsh .02. |
It's just so close to home. I'm in Fort Worth. And I work in a school with a LARGE African population. I hope they can keep it contained. And I hope the government isn't lying to us about the true nature of the epidemic.
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Yes Enchanted I also hope our Government isn't lying to us BUT.. I have to say, if someone from our Government told me it was raining outside, I would have to get up and go to the window and check myself! That's just how much I distrust our Government!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Is the CDC minimizing or the media maximizing?
This reminds me very much of the fervor surrounding AIDS in the early 80’s except with this we know what it is and in this country you would pretty much have to try to get it by placing yourself in danger of direct contact with bodily fluids from someone who is displaying symptoms and been in proximity to it. Hemorragic fevers have been around for a long time and transmission in a place that is aware of it and equipped to deal with it would be difficult in large numbers. Would travel restrictions help? I doubt it, we can only close our borders to a point, air travelers come from all over and they could have started from anywhere. Would I be careful in areas of likely contact? Yes. Would I encourage the kind of hysteria that has been seen around leprosy, polio, and HIV? No. I think educated adults in a first world setting can stay out of harms way for the most part. I believe I have a far greater chance of being killed by a drunk driver or a particularly nasty flu than Ebola. I have face masks and gloves in my regular emergency kit and a good pantry as always. The most difficult part for me right now is separating real information from hype. I think civil unrest from mis-information is a real possibility though. |
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Wash your hands frequently! Don't touch your face, mouth, eyes etc unless you have clean hands. If nothing else, the flu will be here soon and you will be prepared! |
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I have so many conspiracy theories about this outbreak of ebola! Fortunately they are probably just that: theories. |
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What Kelt said! The imminent panic will be the biggest hurdle we will have to face. Actually contracting Ebola is pretty tough to do. |
There is a pretty good outline of the situation in the New York Times updated today. It is compiled from CDC, WHO, Doctors Without Borders and others.
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I carry plenty of hand wipes with me when I am out,many public bathrooms don't have soap or anything else to wash hands with so bringing my own is the best way to keep germs at bay.I no longer shake hands,all my friends agreed on fist bumps or elbow bumps of some sort,people I just meet I just say hello glad to meet ya..if they offer a hand shake I tell them why I would rather not.Yeah,I get some funny looks but I feel better this way.
I agree we should restrict people from countries with Ebola or any other disease from coming hear till it's sure they aren't carrying some bug,plus our people shouldn't be going to places that have a problem as well.I know it puts a cramp in travel plans but safety first will save a lot of of people from being sick.I live three hours from Dallas,where our airport isn't a major hub it dose get people from a lot of places,I would hate to see that mess started hear.My fear is people not telling about where they have been or of they have been around anyone with a communicable disease,if they don't tell the truth Instant quarentean (?) for as long as nessarry(? again,not in my dictionary either).I know that's harsh but if you have, to do it. |
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I think if your children have contact with persons coming from the effected areas of Africa, then there is reason for concern! Hopefully all of the steps they are taking to make sure infected people don't get into the general population will work. I have my doubts. If (and we hope it doesn't) this virus spreads, then there shouldn't be any hugging or physical contact as not only would you be at risk, but you could spread the virus to other children or their families. I'm not lecturing you, you probably know all of this yourself and will take all precautions needed. Thank you for clarifying your post, I appreciate it very much. (f) |
I think if someone who is infected enters an environment like an elementary school we are all doomed. It would spread like wildfire. It wouldn't matter if I hugged a kid or not. Just look at the people in the hazmat gear on the news. The nurse in Dallas wearing the hazmat gear caught it anyway. In my opinion, the CDC needs to do more to ensure that these folks that are supposed to be quarantined are not out and about.
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I want to talk about a different angle on this thing, the dogs that are testing positive for Ebola. That terrifies me and not in the sense that I'm afraid I'm going to get it from a dog but because of the recent euthanasia of the Spanish pup Excalibur.
The Dallas nurse who has tested positive for the virus has a dog as well. Her dog tested positive. They do not believe that it can be transmitted from dog to human but it definitely can be transmitted from person to dog. The Mayor of Dallas says they aren't going to euthanize her dog, which I am happy about because if I were her, sick in the hospital, I wouldn't be able to concentrate on healing if I knew my dogs were in danger of being killed. An article today said that her dog is held up in her apartment and being monitored by the humane society. I fear that this thing will set off such a panic that people will find out where she lives and kill her dog themselves. Yes, of course I care about the people. I'm an RN myself. I was in Fort Worth the weekend that the first patient got admitted to the hospital. But I'm also an avid animal lover and don't think that dogs should be put down before we even know what is going on with this thing. |
There is no documented case of Ebola spreading to people from dogs, but at least one major study suggests dogs can get the disease
I hope it does not prove to be true. I have not read the study that said dogs can get it without showing symptoms. I don't know who did the study or what kind of statistics they have but will try to find it. I hope the study is validated before people are reactive.
From USA Today: Unlike in Spain, Dallas Ebola patient's dog will be saved Rick Jervis, USA TODAY 7:27 a.m. EDT October 13, 2014 DALLAS — The health care worker who tested positive for Ebola has a dog, but the mayor of Dallas says unlike in a recent Spanish case, the dog will be kept safe for eventual reunion with its owner. Mayor Mike Rawlings told USA TODAY that the dog remained in the health care worker's apartment when she was hospitalized and will soon be sent to a new location to await its owner's recovery. There are no plans to euthanize the dog, he said. "This was a new twist," Rawlings said. "The dog's very important to the patient and we want it to be safe." There were no immediate details on the name or type of dog. In patient's neighborhood, business as usual — almost-. Brad Smith, of CG Environmental, will lead the effort to decontaminate the patient's East Dallas apartment. He said he has been alerted that the patient's dog is still inside and will work with members of the local SPCA branch and Dallas animal control officials to remove it from the apartment. "We'll assist with that," Smith said. "We have the (personal protection equipment) that needs to be worn." In Spain, the Madrid regional government said last Wednesday that it had euthanized Excalibur, the pet of the Spanish nursing assistant being treated. The dog was sedated to avoid suffering. After death its corpse was "put into a sealed biosecurity device and transferred for incineration at an authorized disposal facility," according to a statement from the Madrid government, Associated Press reported. Spanish officials said the dog was killed because it posed a risk of transmitting the disease to humans. There is no documented case of Ebola spreading to people from dogs, but at least one major study suggests dogs can get the disease without showing symptoms. Experts say they are uncertain what risk that poses to humans. The Spanish health ministry said the nursing assistant, Teresa Romero Ramos, is in stable condition and showing signs of "slight improvement," the AP reported Sunday. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2...-dog/17159727/ |
The study on dogs was done by CDC researchers in March, 2005.
If you have interest in reading the study: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/11/3/pdfs/04-0981.pdf |
I still have a concern about Humans as well as dog transmission. If humans can spread Ebola to Dogs, then what will it take for that transmission to become the reverse and how long could that take. I also wonder if it affects the animal in the same ways it affects humans, can it kill them? If dogs can get it from humans, can they spread it to other dogs? I have tons of questions about this that there seems to be no information on that I can find.
As with the Equine disease that made the vector jump to humans, as well as the swine flu making vector jumps to humans, and bird flu making vector jumps to humans, what's to say this can't be done over time with Ebola making that vector jump from dogs to humans. It's already been said that humans eating infected fruit bats as a delicacy made an ingestion jump to humans, what's to stop that ingestion jump from dogs to humans in countries where dog meat is a delicacy? I know it's difficult to talk about this, but I just thought I'd bring it up. |
The thought of my dog suffering from Ebola bothers me more than having it myself. I know that thinking is hard for some people to understand, but animal lovers know what i mean.
All of this makes me want to go live in the hills with my family, away from everyone. Over-reaction i know, but frankly I'm getting really nervous. Thank you for posting the study Anya, now off to read it. |
I read a couple of articles the other day regarding dogs and Ebola. One said dogs can get Ebola but it runs it course with few to little symptoms and doesn't effect them like it does humans and other animals. The other said dogs have antibodies and though they do not contract the virus they are carriers.
Here is an interesting article from the World Health Organization about Ebola. In one section it states that Ebola is transferred from many sorts of animals in the wild. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/ |
Just to keep facts straight...the nurse in Dallas who was wearing the hazmat gear was exposed to the Ebola virus due to a suspected "breach in protocol." I am clarifying this because I think it is vitally important that we keep to the facts as much as possible when reporting anything pertaining to Ebola so that we are not spreading undue fear throughout our community.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/13/health...pen/index.html Quote:
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Kansas City patient at risk for Ebola
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Here is a link to the CDC about animals and dogs and exposure to Ebola and what they know and don't know about transmission of the disease and animals.
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/transmission/qas-pets.html |
I'm watching the news and they are saying the reason the nurse in Dallas was infected was because of a breech in protocol. I imagine she didn't take her protective gear off correctly. We are all human, unfortunately it happens.
The NBC news camera guy who contracted the Ebola virus in Liberia has taken a turn for the better with his health says the doctors who are caring for him. So people do get through it, which is a good thing. |
cnn is calling ebola caregivers brave
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Great. I am very happy to hear this. Thanks for posting!
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They don't actually know what caused the transmission but "assume " it was an innocent and accidental breach in protocol. The CDC and the Presbytarian hospital along with the Dallas Health dept are doing extensive research into how this may have happened; they are also trying to calm the fears of other hospital employees and other surrounding hospital employees and healthcare workers in informational meetings as well as to the public. |
UN health worker dies in Germany hospital
14 October 2014 Last updated at 06:54 ET
The Ebola patient was being treated at St Georg hospital in Leipzig A United Nations medical worker infected with Ebola has died at a hospital in Germany. Doctors at the hospital in Leipzig said the man, 56, originally from Sudan, died despite receiving experimental drugs to treat the virus. The outbreak has killed more than 4,000 people since March - mostly in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria. The World Health Organization says the outbreak is the "the most severe, acute health emergency in modern times". The man had been working as a UN medical official in Liberia - one of the worst affected countries - when he caught Ebola. He arrived in Germany last Thursday for treatment and was put into a hermetically sealed ward, accessed through airlock systems. "Despite intensive medical measures and maximum efforts by the medical team, the 56-year-old UN employee succumbed to the serious infectious disease," a statement from St Georg hospital said. He was the second member of the UN team in Liberia to die from the virus, the BBC's Jenny Hill in Berlin says. He was the third Ebola patient to be treated for the deadly virus in Germany after contracting the disease in the outbreak zone in West Africa. Front-line health workers are at high risk of contamination The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is alarmed by the number of health workers who have been exposed to the disease. The WHO has warned the epidemic threatens the "very survival" of societies and could lead to failed states. Note: figures have occasionally been revised down as suspected or probable cases are found to be unrelated to Ebola. They do not include one death in the US recorded on 8 October. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29611713 |
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