HAN 365: CDC Ebola Update #1

Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network
August 13, 2014, 12:00 ET (12:00 PM ET)
HANINFO-00365

Summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with other U.S. government agencies, the World Health Organization, and other domestic and international partners in an international response to the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa. This document summarizes key messages about the outbreak and the response. It will be updated as new information becomes available and distributed regularly. Please share the document with others as appropriate.

Background

CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to respond to Ebola. Below, please find resources and guidance that we hope will be useful to you and your organization. Please share with your colleagues and networks.

In this HAN INFOService

- Ebola Cases and Deaths (West Africa)
- Online Resources
- Key Messages Summary

Ebola Cases and Deaths (West Africa)
Updated: August 9, 2014

- Suspected and Confirmed Case Count: 1848
- Suspected Case Deaths: 1013
- Laboratory Confirmed Cases: 1176

Updates on cases and deaths can be found on the CDC website:
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/guinea/index.html

Online Resources

Web Resources
What's New
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever
Questions and Answers on Ebola
World Health Organization’s Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)
Interim Guidance about Ebola Virus Infection for Airline Flight Crews, Cleaning Personnel, and Cargo Personnel (Updated)
Ebola Virus Disease Information for Clinicians in U.S. Healthcare Settings (NEW)
COCA Call: What U.S. Hospitals Need to Know to Prepare for Ebola Virus Disease (NEW)
Digital Press Kit (NEW)
Radio Spots for Outbreak
Infographics (English and Spanish) (NEW)
Outbreak Map

Summary Key Messages

• This is the largest Ebola outbreak in history and the first in West Africa.
• The outbreak in West Africa is worsening, but CDC, along with other U.S. government agencies and international partners, is taking steps to respond to this rapidly changing situation.
• Ebola poses no substantial risk to the U.S. general population.
• On August 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the current Ebola outbreak is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
  • The PHEIC declaration underscores the need for a coordinated international response to contain the spread of Ebola.
  • Information about the PHEIC declaration is available on the WHO website www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2014/ebola-20140808/en/#.
• A person infected with Ebola virus is not contagious until symptoms appear.
• The virus is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the body fluids (blood, urine, feces, saliva, and other secretions) of a person who is sick with Ebola, or with objects like needles that have been contaminated with the virus, or infected animals.
  • Ebola is not spread through the air or by food or water.
• As of August 13, no confirmed Ebola cases have been reported in the United States, other than the two U.S. health workers evacuated from Liberia.
• As a precaution, CDC is communicating with American healthcare workers about how to isolate patients with known and suspected cases of Ebola and how they can protect themselves from infection.
• Early recognition of Ebola is important for providing appropriate patient care and preventing the spread of infection. Healthcare providers should be alert for and evaluate any patients suspected of having Ebola.
  • A case definition for Ebola virus disease is available at www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/case-definition.html.
• CDC and its partners at U.S. ports of entry are not doing enhanced screening of passengers traveling from the affected countries. However, CDC works with international public health organizations, other federal agencies, and the travel industry to identify sick travelers arriving in the United States and take public health actions to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
• CDC also is assisting with exit screening and communication efforts in West Africa to prevent sick travelers from getting on planes.
• CDC recommends that people avoid nonessential travel to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
• CDC recommends that people practice enhanced precautions if traveling to Nigeria.
• Recommendations and guidance may change as new information becomes available.