Editorial Team
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 22, 2014 12:26 PM IST
After two health workers got infected with Ebola while treating the first Ebola patient in US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been on the receiving end of criticism. It was argued that the guidelines released by CDC were insufficient and underestimated the difficulty. According to Jean Ross, co-president of the National Nurses United, there wasn't really a protocol for health workers to follow, which could be one of the reasons why health workers got the infection.
After a serious scrutiny, the CDC revamped the guidelines and released stringent rules for healthcare workers to protect themselves from Ebola infection. The new guidelines focus on improving and standardising Ebola response across hospitals around the country. According to the guidelines:
In their CDC's defence, an analyst explained that the CDC doesn't have the authority to mandate these guidelines. So there is no way to identify whether the protocol is being strictly followed by all health workers in hospitals across the country. And, prevention of spread of Ebola would be effective only if the guidelines are strictly followed. (Read: How the Ebola virus spreads in humans)
Here are some expert tips that can help you prevent the disease.
Educate yourself about Ebola: Knowing the symptoms, modes of transmission and preventive measures is the first step to prevent the spread of the disease. This information is especially important for those who are travelling to and from affected areas in West Africa.
Maintain sanitary conditions: Basic hygiene plays a very important role in preventing Ebola. The exact way by which the virus enters the body is still debatable but skin and eyes are suggested routes for viral entry. However, food and water may also serve as source of entry. So, simple acts like washing hands before eating and disinfecting surfaces and covering the mouth can help prevent the spread of the virus, especially in areas surrounding the areas of outbreak.
Avoid contact with blood and body fluids: Ebola virus spreads through all body fluids including blood, semen, saliva, sweat, urine, fecal matter and vomit of infected individuals. Healthcare workers and medical staff who are more likely to come in contact with infected body fluids, infected needles and first aid, should handle them with protective gear. Read more about 8 tips to prevent Ebola infection
With inputs from ANI
Photo source: Getty images
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.
