Health department provides Ebola information

With the Ebola crisis hitting national and world news organizations’ headlines the Adams County Health Department hosted an informational session with its community partners and community members.

The purpose of this meeting was to outline the facts of Ebola infection, inform about safety procedures and dispel myths surrounding the disease.

Currently there are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Washington State and only a handful of people are being monitored. They have recently been to areas where Ebola is present but are not currently exhibiting symptoms. There are no individuals being monitored in Adams County.

The meeting was well attended by members of various health organizations.

“We were pleased with the turnout for our meeting with community partners,” Karen Potts of the Adams County Health Department said.

Information provided at the meeting covered how to assess potential Ebola infection.

Risk factors for exposure include traveling to areas of western Africa where Ebola is prevalent within 21 days or coming in direct contact with bodily fluids of a person who has Ebola.

Symptoms of the disease include a fever greater that 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit as well as severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea and unexpected hemorrhaging.

Ebola is not spread through casual contact and there is also no strong evidence of it being transmitted through the air. It is also not spread through water or through food grown in the United States.

It can only be spread by direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person who is exhibiting symptoms. It can also be contracted through contact with an infected body of a deceased individual without proper protective equipment.

The health department will host another information session about Ebola if a confirmed case is discovered in Washington or if community partners request another meeting to address new questions or concerns that may develop. They receive daily updates from the Washington State Department of Health regarding national and worldwide cases.

More information about Ebola can be found on the Washington State Department of Health website at http://www.doh.wa.gov/.