WHAT IS THE EBOLA VIRUS AND HOW IS IT SPREAD

 

 

There is a lot of mis-information about Ebola so I thought it would be good to post a short article from http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/10/how_is_ebola_spread_cdc_expert.html

explaining how the virus is transmitted.

 

As God's people we are to overcome fear by trust in Yeshua. Fear creates panic and panic leads to poor decision making and confusion.

 

"What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.…Matt 10.27-29

 

Now that the Ebola virus has reached America, officials are reminding residents that the disease is spread by "direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids" of a person "who is sick with Ebola." Bodily fluids include, but aren't limited to, feces, saliva, urine, vomit and semen.
So, what exactly is "direct contact"? Responding to that question from AL.Com Wednesday night, U.S. Centers for Disease Control spokeswoman Sharon Hoskins spelled out the details.
"Direct contact" means the virus can enter the body through broken skin (cuts, abrasions) or unprotected mucous membranes in the nose, eyes or mouth. Ebola is not spread through unbroken skin (simple touch). Ebola viruses "are not airborne."

Also, Hoskins said, "An alcohol-based sanitizer can inactivate the Ebola virus, as will handwashing with soap. Hands should be washed with soap and water (preferred) or a waterless, alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. CDC first advises to use soap and water, but if soap and water are not available alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used."

Staff in medical facilities with possible or confirmed Ebola cases wear masks, gowns, gloves and eye protection precisely to block the paths to the body's interior (nose, eyes, mouth). They sterilize all objects (needles, syringes) that have been contaminated by blood or bodily fluids from someone sick with Ebola.

The CDC says, "There is no epidemiologic evidence of Ebola virus transmission via either the environment or (objects) that could become contaminated during patient care (e.g., bed rails, door knobs, laundry). However, given the apparent low infectious dose, potential of high virus (concentrations) in the blood of ill patients, and disease severity, higher levels of precaution are warranted to reduce the potential risk posed by contaminated surfaces in the patient care environment."

Additional reading: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/dallas-ebola-case-spurs-concern-about-hospital-readiness/2014/10/03/4afa10b2-4b30-11e4-a046-120a8a855cca_story.html