Facts About Ebola
White Plains Hospital is prepared to identify and isolate any suspected Ebola patient. A leadership team at the Hospital is closely monitoring the ongoing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the county and state Health Departments for Ebola – just as we do for any disease. The Hospital is following the evidence-based protocols recommended by the CDC to deal with many infectious diseases and view precaution and preparedness as a priority for the safety of our patients, staff and community.
Early Symptoms
Ebola can be spread to others ONLY after symptoms begin. Symptoms can appear from 2 to 21 days after exposure to an infected patient or travel to West Africa. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Severe Headache
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising
- Muscle pain
How do you catch the Ebola virus?
Ebola is spread through direct contact (broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example the eyes, nose, or mouth) with:
- Blood or bodily 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
Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, by food.
The CDC is the best source of information regarding Ebola. For the most comprehensive and up-to-date information available go to: www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola
- Following are some specific links on Ebola:
- Questions & Answers (CDC)
- Advice for Travelers (WHO)
- Guidance for Airlines (CDC)
- Guidance for Hospitals (CDC)
- Guidance for Health Care Workers (CDC)