Ebola: Facts and Details

Am I at risk for Ebola?

Ebola is a rare disease. You are at risk for Ebola if you 

1. Have recently traveled to an affected area in Africa or

2. Have had direct contact with a person who is exhibiting Ebola symptoms and has recently traveled to an affected area in Africa.

If you do not meet 1 or 2, you are not at risk.
Affected areas in Africa include Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

How is Ebola spread?

A person infected with Ebola is not contagious until symptoms appear. Ebola is spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of a person with symptoms. It is not spread through the air, or by food or water.

What are the symptoms of Ebola?

Ebola symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.

How soon do symptoms appear after exposure?

Symptoms may appear 2 to 21 days after exposure, although 8 to 10 days is most common.

How can I prevent Ebola?

Ebola poses no substantial risk to the U.S. population. People at risk for contracting Ebola have been in affected areas in Africa or had contact with the blood or body fluids of a person infected with Ebola.

Avoid traveling to areas with outbreaks of Ebola. If you must travel to areas with Ebola, avoid direct contact with body fluids of ill people. If you are ill and recently traveled to an affected African country or had contact with a suspect or confirmed case, call your doctor to report signs of illness and receive further direction. Call before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room

What is being done to protect Sedgwick County residents from Ebola

Community health partners are working together to plan for any suspect case, should one arise in Sedgwick County. Wichita hospitals are prepared to isolate and contain any suspect cases. The Sedgwick County Health Department epidemiologists are trained to investigate reports of Ebola and other diseases.

What is Ebola?

Ebola, or Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), is a rare disease caused by infection with a strain of Ebola virus in the virus family Filoviridae. The Ebola virus causes illness in humans and non-human primates such as gorillas and monkeys. Ebola viruses are found in several African countries, including Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

What is the treatment for Ebola?

There is no approved treatment or vaccine for Ebola. People with Ebola should be hospitalized. Hospitals can provide therapy for symptoms, including pain relievers and intravenous fluids to rehydrate the patient. Experimental treatments and vaccines are under investigation. Hospitals in Wichita are prepared to isolate and contain any suspect cases.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

For information updates or other community re-sources call the United Way's Information Line at  2-1-1.