Ebola in US: Health workers fighting Ebola are real heroes, says Obama

US President Barack Obama Wednesday paid honour to healthcare workers who have treated Ebola patients in West Africa, calling them 'heroes' deserving to be applauded rather than discouraged. 'All of t

By: Editorial Team | | Published: October 30, 2014 3:47 pm

US President Barack Obama Wednesday paid honour to healthcare workers who have treated Ebola patients in West Africa, calling them ‘heroes’ deserving to be applauded rather than discouraged. ‘All of them have signed up to leave their homes and their loved ones to head straight into the heart of the Ebola epidemic,’ Xinhua quoted Obama as saying. ‘They do this for no other reason than their own sense of duty … We need to call them what they are, which is American heroes.’ (Read: 7 tips to prevent the spread of Ebola)

Obama noted that those healthcare workers should be ‘treated with dignity and with respect’, apparently criticising mandatory quarantine policies for ‘high-risk’ returning individuals that have been put in place by New York, New Jersey and other US states. (Read: 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)

Obama made the remarks at the White House after meeting with a number of healthcare workers who have returned from the front line of the fight in West Africa. He stressed that with or without travel bans and quarantines, no one could promise that there wo not be any more cases in the US or any place else. ‘So yes, we are likely to see a possible case elsewhere outside of these countries,’ he said. ‘Because that’s the nature of today’s world, we can’t hermetically seal ourselves off.’ (Read: How the Ebola virus spreads in 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

Published : October 30, 2014 3:47 pm

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