The 2014 Ebola epidemic is the largest Ebola outbreak in history, and is of great concern to many people. It is affecting multiple countries in West Africa. Two imported cases, including one death, and two locally acquired cases in health care workers have been reported in the United States. The CDC, Tennessee Department of Health, Knox County Health Department and many other partners are taking precautions to prevent the further spread of Ebola within the United States.
At this time, there are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Tennessee. The risk for contracting Ebola in our state is extremely low.
Unless someone has traveled to Liberia, Guinea, or Sierra Leone within the last 21 days or had direct contact with an Ebola patient, they pose no risk.
Symptoms of Ebola include:
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)
Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days. Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.
People with symptoms who were in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea in the past 21 days should call the Knox County Health Department at 865-215-5093 or 911 if it’s a medical emergency.
Transmission:
Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose or mouth) with blood or body fluids of an Ebola-infected person. Direct contact means that body fluids (blood, saliva, mucus, vomit, urine, semen, breast milk, sweat or feces) from an infected person (alive or dead) have touched someone’s eyes, nose, or mouth or an open cut, wound, or abrasion.
Ebola Information Resources:
- CDC’s Ebola Web page has the latest outbreak information, including symptoms, prevention, risk of exposure, diagnosis, guidance for health care workers and more.
- CDC’s Travelers’ Health Web page
- TN Department of Health Ebola Web page
- The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine Web page has a list of frequently asked questions about Ebola and pets.
If you have any questions, you may contact the Knox County Health Department at 865-215-5093.
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