CDC: Initial Ebola Case Diagnosed in United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed yesterday, by means of laboratory tests, the initial case of Ebola to be identified in the United States in an individual who had visited to Dallas, Texas from Liberia. The individual did not have symptoms when going West Africa, but developed signs around four days after coming to the U.S. on Sept. 20.

The individual fell sick on Sept. 24 and wanted medical care at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas two days later. After developing symptoms constant with Ebola, he was admitted to medical center on Sept. 28. Depending on the person’s journey history and symptoms, CDC suggested examining for Ebola. The hospital isolated the individual and sent samples for examining at CDC and at a Texas laboratory taking part in the CDC’s Laboratory Response Network. CDC and the Texas Health Department revealed the laboratory examine outcomes to the medical center to notify the patient. Local public health authorities have started determining close associates of the individual for additional daily supervising for 21 days after exposure. A CDC group was sent to Dallas this morning.

“Ebola can be frightening. But there’s all the distinction in the world between the United States and areas of Africa where Ebola is growing. The U.S. has a powerful health care system and public health experts who will ensure that this case does not threaten our communities,” stated CDC Director, Dr. Tom Frieden, “While it is not difficult that there could be further cases connected with this individual in the coming 2 or 3 weeks, I have no question that we will contain this.”

The sick person did not show symptoms of Ebola while in the flights from West Africa and CDC doesn’t suggest that individuals on the same commercial airline flights go through tracking, as Ebola is only communicable if the individual is suffering from active symptoms. The individual claimed developing symptoms various days after the return flight. Anyone involved about possible subjection may call CDC-Info at 800-CDC-INFO for more information.

CDC identifies that even one case of Ebola identified in the United States increases worries. Understanding the possibility exists, medical and public health experts throughout the nation have been planning to respond. CDC and public health authorities in Texas are taking safety measures to recognize people who have had close personal contact with the sick person and health care experts have been advised to use meticulous infection control at all times.

We do know how to cease Ebola’s further spread: in depth case finding, isolation of sick individuals, contacting individuals subjected to the ill person and additional isolation of contacts if they acquire symptoms. The U.S. public health and medical systems have had previous experience with irregular situations of illnesses such as Ebola. In the last 10 years, the U.S. had five imported cases of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) diseases identical to Ebola (1 Marburg, 4 Lassa). None led in any transmission in the U.S.

CDC has been looking forward to and preparing for a circumstance of Ebola in the United States. We have been:

• Improving surveillance and lab examining potential in states to identify cases
• Establishing guidance and methods for health departments to perform public health studies
• Delivering suggestions for healthcare infection control and other actions to avoid disease spread
• Offering guidance for flight teams, Emergency Medical Services units at air terminals, and Customs and Border Protection authorities about reporting sick travellers to CDC
• Distributing up-to-date details to the general public, international tourists, and public health associates

The data health authorities have seen in the last few years since Ebola was identified signifies that it is not propagate via casual contact or via the air. Ebola is propagating via direct contact with body fluids of a sick individual or exposure to things such as needles that have been infected. The sickness has an average 8-10 day incubation period (although it varies from 2 to 21 days); CDC suggests monitoring subjected people for symptoms a complete 21 days. Individuals are not contagious after exposure until they develop symptoms.