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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 21, 2014 4:59 PM IST
About 120 people are being monitored for signs of Ebola in the US city of Dallas in Texas, the second most populous US state after California. According to health authorities, about 120 people are still being monitored for signs of Ebola in Dallas -- the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in the US -- as dozens of others came out of the three-week observation period Monday, Xinhua reported.
Dallas officials declared 43 people who may have had contact with the first diagnosed Ebola patient on US soil -- Thomas Eric Duncan -- free of the deadly virus at a press conference held Monday morning. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings called the day a 'milestone day', implying that the first group of people possibly exposed to Ebola in the country are cleared of the risk now. 'We are breathing a little easier,' Rawlings said, "but we are still holding our breath a fair amount until Nov 7'. (Read: Ebola virus signs and symptoms you need to watch out for!)
The mayor said 120 people on the watch list, 75 of them hospital staffers involved in treating Duncan, will come out of the quarantine period Nov 7. The incubation period of Ebola is 21 days at most, and the virus is communicable only after symptoms are shown. The remaining on the list include those who had contact with two nurses confirmed to be the only two transmission cases in the country till now. The two victims, Nina Pham and Amber Joy Vinson, contracted the virus while caring for Duncan. They were moved out of Dallas last week to special isolation units in Bethesda, Maryland and Atlanta, respectively. Both of them are reportedly in fair condition. (Read: 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)
Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) with answers about the deadly Ebola disease -
How is the Ebola virus disease caused?
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a contagious disease caused by infection with one of the four strains of the Ebola virus. The Ebola virus belongs to the family of Filoviridae and the viral strains with potential for infection in humans are Zaire, Bundibugyo, Tai Forest and Sudan virus.
How does it spread?
The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the body fluids (semen, sweat, saliva and blood), infected objects (needles) and close skin contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through close contact with infected animals (handling the meat) and consumption of uncooked meat.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Ebola virus usually appear between 2 to 21 days after being infected with the virus. The early symptoms include high fever (greater than 38.6 C), headache, drop in blood pressure and stomach pain. Whereas late signs of Ebola infections which indicate medical emergency are sore throat, jaundice, skin rashes, bleeding and loss of appetite. Read more about Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ)
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: getty images
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