The agenda for Thursday’s meeting of the Bridgeport Emergency Services Council included a line item for Ebola.

 

Although there is no immediate threat of the epidemic in the immediate area, the city’s EMS department is being proactive – implementing an open conversation between health professionals to form a game plan.

 

“We’re staying aware of the situation and looking into ways we can prepare as a community and stay safe,” said Laura Pysz, Bridgeport EMS coordinator.

 

Among health professionals on board and attending last week’s meeting are Margaret Howe, nursing director of Harrison County-Clarksburg Health Department and Christopher Goode, M.D., medical director of United Hospital Center’s emergency department.

 

Howe explained why formation of a game plan is a good idea.

 

“Right now, a person in this area should be at no risk for Ebola unless they have traveled to Africa and been exposed or been in direct contact with any of the diagnosed patients here in the U.S.,” Howe said. “But with that being said, with Ebola – as with anything else – the best thing we can do is be prepared. Take Ebola out of the equation and go back to the H1N1 flu or any epidemic, infection or even natural disaster – and the ‘take home’ here is to prepare ahead of time and plan.”

 

Key in that plan is understanding Ebola, how it is contracted and how to stop the spread of disease, Howe said.

 

According to information supplied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ebola - previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. First discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is currently the Democratic Republic of the Conga – Ebola has since been diagnosed in several African countries. In addition to humans, it has affected monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees. Ebola has become most prevalent this calendar year, as an epidemic has traveled throughout West Africa.

 

The first confirmed travel-associated case in the U.S. was diagnosed in Dallas on Sept. 30. That patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, later passed away. At Texas Presbyterian Hospital where he was being cared for, a healthcare worker tested positive for the disease a few days later and was subsequently isolated. Since then, another healthcare worker at the hospital tested positive according to preliminary testing. The day prior to her diagnoses, she had flown into Dallas Fort Worth from Cleveland.

 

Today marks the maximum incubation period of 21 days for dozens of family members and friends who were exposed to Duncan. None have shown any symptoms. Also today, it was announced that the U.S. military is forming a 30-person "quick-strike team" equipped to provide direct treatment to Ebola patients inside the U.S. The team will be under orders to deploy within 72 hours at any time over the next month, a Penthouse official said.

 

Ebola can only be contracted, Howe said, through body fluids of an individual who has the disease. Those body fluids include blood, saliva, urine, stool and vomit. Methods of contraction include drinking after one another or through an open wound or abrasion.

 

That’s why Howe recommends – particularly with wintertime approaching – that individuals keep their skin moisturized to prevent dry skin abrasions. It is also very important to keep the immune system healthy in order to fight off infection and provide for a better recovery should a disease be contracted. Those steps include eating and sleeping well and staying physically active. Throughout flu season, wash hands frequently and keep them away from the eyes, nose and other areas of the face, Howe said.

 

Symptoms of Ebola are very similar to those of various flu strains and include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. Another symptom, according to the CDC, is unexplained bleeding or bruising. Although symptoms can appear anywhere between two and 21 days, the average is eight to 10 days.

 

If symptoms develop, Howe said the way to stop spread of infection is to confine the individual in quarantine.

 

“So there may come a time when someone who feels he/she may be at risk or may have been exposed will be asked to stay in their home” Howe said. “That means not being out in the community for a period of 21 days.”

 

That scenario presents another way members of the community can be prepared.

 

“It’s a good idea to start gradually build a home stockpile so if you do need to be at home in quarantine, you’ll be able to do that,” Howe said. “Also, have a network in place for extended family members who may need help, including the elderly.”

 

This type of networking and home preparedness is recommended at all times, not just with regard to the threat of Ebola, Howe said. It could be implemented in the face of any disease or disaster, she said.

 

If the Ebola virus would become a problem in this area, the West Virginia Health Department and Centers for Disease and Control would keep individuals informed of advised actions, Howe said.

 

“So coming from a public health standpoint, I can say that if we do have an event here, people must listen to what they should do,” she said. “The only way to stop the spread of disease is if people take proper prevention measures.”

 

This year, it’s more important than ever, Howe said, to get the flu shot. That means less likelihood of contracting the flu and symptoms which may be confused with those of Ebola.

 

At the present time, there are no travel restrictions to anyone with regard to the potential spread of Ebola, Howe said.

 

Should anyone suspect symptoms of the disease, development of a local plan will pay off, Pysz said.

 

“We’re working on putting steps in place – for members of the medical profession and first responders – so if someone has these kind of symptoms, due diligence will be done in asking important questions about background, how long they’ve been experiencing symptoms, how long they’ve lasted, where they’ve traveled, etc.”

 

On Oct. 14, WBOY reported that Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown was treating two international travelers for flu-like symptoms.

 

"Out of an abundance of caution, we exercised appropriate measures per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for possible Ebola infection," said Amy Johns, Director of Public Affairs.

 

After extensive communication with the West Virginia State Health Department and the CDC, it was determined that there was no concern that the two patients had the Ebola virus, said Johns.  The patients tested positive for influenza and standard precautions for influenza were taken.

 

For accurate information on Ebola and to stay up to date on happenings with regard to the disease, visit the CDC Web site HERE. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured from top are Pysz, Goode and Howe. On the cover is a file photo from a previous meeting of the Bridgeport Emergency Services Council.