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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 30, 2014 5:11 PM IST
A nurse who fuelled Ebola fears by flying to Cleveland after being infected by her dying patient was released from a hospital isolation unit, where doctors defended her as a courageous front-line caregiver. Another nurse, held for days in a medical tent in New Jersey after volunteering in West Africa, was in an undisclosed location in Maine, objecting to quarantine rules as overly restrictive.
While world leaders appeal for more doctors and nurses on the front lines of the Ebola epidemic, health care workers in the United States are finding themselves on the defensive. Lawyers now represent both Amber Vinson, who contracted the virus while caring for a Liberian visitor to Texas, and Kaci Hickox, who is challenging the mandatory quarantines some states are imposing on anyone who came into contact with Ebola victims. (Read: 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)
The virus is still spreading faster than the response, killing nearly half of the more than 10,000 people it has infected in West Africa. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said yesterday that at least 5,000 more health workers are urgently needed in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, travelling with him in Africa, said mandatory quarantines for health care workers, Ebola-related travel restrictions and border closings are not the answer. (Read: Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ))
The Pentagon announced yesterday that the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that he require all US troops returning from Ebola-fighting missions in West Africa to be kept in supervised isolation for 21 days. Balancing that and similar quarantines announced by several state governors, President Barack Obama said the Ebola response needs to be 'based on science.' (Read: 7 tips to prevent the spread of Ebola)
'We've got to make sure that those workers who are willing and able and dedicated to go over there in a really tough job, that they're applauded, thanked and supported. That should be our priority. And we can make sure that when they come back they are being monitored in a prudent fashion,' Obama said after calling Vinson from the White House. Vinson's trip home to join her bridesmaids for wedding preparations was one of several moves by doctors and nurses that could have exposed others in the United States. (Read: What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?)
In Ohio alone, 163 people were still being monitored yesterday because of contact or potential contact with Vinson in a bridal shop and on the airplanes she used. Vinson arrived in Dallas yesterday evening, after tests showed she is now free of the virus. (Read: Quarantine for Ebola what is it?)
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 PTI
Photo source: Getty images
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