a friendly reminder from your resident infectious disease epidemiologist:
please take everything that CNN, MSNBC, Headline News, etc is saying about ebola with a grain of salt.please remember that the 24 hour news cycle rewards sensationalism instead of communicating actual facts which i will outline below
- ebola is a virus that is spread through contact with an infected persons bodily fluids.
- BODILY FLUIDS: blood. saliva. sweat. mucosal secretions (including semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk) etc.
- that is pretty intimate contact right there.
- IT IS NOT SPREAD THROUGH THE AIR. spread is theoretically conceivable via fomites (surfaces) if contaminated with said bodily fluids
- the incubation period is 2 to 21 days before an infected person becomes symptomatic
- when investigating exposures we use a “concentric circle” approach screening people who are close contacts first.
- being on an airplane with a person infected with ebola DOES NOT MAKE YOU A CLOSE CONTACT.
- every single person who has received medical treatment for ebloa in the U.S. is still alive.
basic infection control will keep you healthy.
- wash your hands frequently, but especially after restroom use and before eating
- refrain from touching your mucous membranes (nose, eyes, ears, mouth).
- if you feel ill, stay home. if you are febrile (have a high fever) get medical attention asap
but most importantly
- DON’T PANIC. FOR THE LOVE OF SWEET BROWN BABY JESUS IN THE MANGER DON’T PANIC.
- and don’t vilify Africa, African peoples, make xenophobic statements or otherwise be a complete and total shitstain. EBOLA is the enemy. not the people who are sick,
thank you.