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Spanish nursing auxiliary Teresa Romero was pronounced cured of the Ebola virus disease according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines after the results of a second test confirmed Tuesday that she no longer had the virus in her blood. The 44-year-old, who Oct 6 became the first person outside of Africa to be infected by Ebola, had previously tested negative in a first test Sunday to see if she had overcome the virus, Xinhua reported.
Romero will now be moved from the sixth floor of the Carlos III Hospital in Madrid and hospital staff treating her will not need to continue wearing the full protective suits they have used to date in accordance with protocols for the illness. She will remain in the hospital for several more weeks to recover from the damage suffered by her liver and lungs and also to regain muscle mass after two weeks of being bedridden. (Read: What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?)
'Even though it (Ebola) is an aggressive virus, it could well be the case that she has no long lasting effects as a result of the disease,' confirmed Fernando de la Calle from the hospital's department of tropical medicine. Romero was almost certainly infected while treating missionary Manuel Garcia Viejo, who died of Ebola in the Carlos III Hospital Sep 25, although it is not yet clear how. She developed the first symptoms of the disease Sep 30, although it was not until Oct 6 that she was taken to hospital. (Read: What is the Ebola incubation period?)
During that time, Romero came into contact with several people, including her husband Javier Limon. Everyone who was in contact with her is under observation in the Carlos III Hospital and it will not be until Oct 27 that the last of them wil be allowed to leave after passing the maximum three-week incubation period for Ebola. (Read: Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ))
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.
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.
Avoid crowded places: Direct contact is an easier way of transfer of virus. So, the sick should be isolated from healthy individuals to prevent spread of the disease.
Use protective gear: For healthcare workers and medical staff, it is absolutely mandatory to use protective gear including gloves and special masks and a body suit to prevent exposure to the virus. Even healthy individuals living in affected West African countries should use gloves and mask to prevent spread of the disease. Read more about 8 tips to prevent Ebola infection
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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