South River Machar Fire Department

Ebola Virus

Disease

History of Ebola Virus Disease

• Ebola was first discovered as a possible new strain of Marburg Virus in 1976

• Marburg Virus, a form of hemorrhagic fever was first identified in small epidemics in German cities in the 1960’s. 7 of the 31 people infected died from the virus

• The name Ebola refers to the Ebola River where the 1976 outbreak of Ebola occurred

How is Ebola Virus Transmitted

• The natural reservoir host of Ebola viruses has not yet been identified, the manner in which the virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak is unknown.

• Researchers believe that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal.

How is Ebola Virus Transmitted

Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth) with:• blood or body fluids (including but not

limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola

• objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus

• infected animals

How is Ebola Virus Transmitted

• Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, by food. However, in Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bush meat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats.

• There is no evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only mammals (for example, humans, bats, monkeys, and apes) have shown the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus.

Signs and Symptoms of Ebola Virus

• Fever• Severe headache• Muscle pain• Weakness• Diarrhea• Vomiting

• Abdominal (stomach) pain

• Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)

Symptoms of Ebola include

Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days.

Treatment of Ebola Patients• No approved vaccine or medicine (e.g.,

antiviral drug) is available for Ebola.• Symptoms of Ebola are treated as they

appear. • Providing intravenous fluids (IV)and

balancing electrolytes (body salts)• Maintaining oxygen status and blood

pressure• Treating other infections if they occur

Ebola Personnel Protective Equipment

• Until the Ebola epidemic ends or a case of Ebola is discovered in Canada firefighters will wear the following PPE on all medical calls including motor vehicle accidents.

1. Full bunker gear, coat, pants, helmet

2. Safety glasses

3. Medical examination gloves

4. N95 mask

Firefighter Expectations During Ebola Epidemic

• Avoid spreading panic through out community

• Stay current on all infection control procedures

• Understand the risks of Ebola

Firefighter Expectations During Ebola Epidemic

• If you or anyone in your family have 2 or more symptoms advise chief or deputy immediately

Firefighter Expectations During Ebola Epidemic

• Unless otherwise directed stay home if you are sick. Firefighter availability will be monitored throughout the pandemic

What you can expect from the Department

• Stay up to date with the best practices to protect you and your families from Ebola

• Have appropriate protective equipment to address the risk

What you can expect from the Department

• Only accept appropriate roles &responsibilities for our current level of training and equipment

• We will not be providing cleaning duties to affected homes

What you can expect from the Department

• Always set safety standard higher than the current best practices of other allied agencies.