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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 28, 2014 1:14 PM IST
The US government Monday urged people considered 'high-risk' for Ebola to voluntarily stay at home for 21 days after returning from Ebola-stricken West African countries. Tom Frieden, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), said at a telebriefing that travellers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea will now be placed into four risk categories, based on their degree of exposure to the deadly virus, Xinhua reported. (Read: Ebola virus is mutating rapidly say scientists)
The high-risk category would involve those who, for instance, got a needle stick while caring for an Ebola patient or family members who have cared for an Ebola patient without using protective equipment, he said. Those people would be advised to voluntarily isolate themselves at home for 21 days and undergo direct active monitoring with their temperatures taken twice a day. They would also not be allowed to take public transportation or attend public gatherings, said the CDC chief. (Read: Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ))
What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe clinical condition that has threatened the entire world. It is caused by a virus of Filoviridae family. Although 5 types of Ebola virus have been identified, only four have been found to cause the disease in humans. The virus spreads easily through close contact with bodily fluids (like semen, saliva, blood and sweat), skin or objects (like needles or garments) of an infected person.
This disease that is highly infectious kills more than 90% of the individuals being infected with the virus (which means that the mortality rate of the Ebola disease is 90%). Hence only 10% of the individuals being infected with the virus survive i.e., the survival rate of the Ebola infection is only 10%. Read more about What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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