Ebola and prevention

When it comes to Ebola, prevention involves
avoiding direct contact with the body fluid of
infected people. Also, it's important to avoid
direct contact with the body of an Ebola victim
who has died. For healthcare workers in Africa,
who are most likely to encounter cases of Ebola,
prevention focuses on being able to recognize
cases of the disease when they appear, as well
as using barrier isolation techniques to avoid
direct contact with infected people.
Ebola Prevention: An Overview
Once an Ebola outbreak begins, the effects of the
virus can be devastating. There is no Ebola cure ,
and once a person develops an Ebola virus
infection, the chance of death can be as high as
90 percent.
Because there is no Ebola vaccine that is
currently licensed, Ebola prevention focuses on
preventing direct contact with body fluid of those
infected with the virus. Another aspect of Ebola
prevention involves avoiding direct contact with
the body of an Ebola victim who has died as a
result of the virus.
Challenges of Ebola Prevention
Ebola prevention in Africa presents many
challenges. Because the identity and location of
the animal host of Ebola virus are unknown, there
are few established primary Ebola prevention
measures.
If cases of Ebola do appear, current social and
economic conditions often favor the spread of an
epidemic within healthcare facilities; therefore,
healthcare providers must be able to recognize a
case of Ebola should one appear. They must also
have the capability to perform Ebola diagnostic
tests and be ready to employ practical Ebola
isolation precautions or barrier nursing
techniques. These techniques include:
The use of infection-control measures,
including complete sterilization of equipment
The isolation of patients with Ebola
hemorrhagic fever from contact with
unprotected people
The wearing of protective clothing, such as
masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles.