On August 6-7th 2014, the Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a meeting regarding the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West and Central Africa. As a result of this meeting, the Ebola virus disease has been deemed a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This is cause for concern for every country in the world including the Turks and Caicos Islands; thus, the Ministry of Health and Human Services wishes to inform the general public about this highly contagious and deadly virus.
The Ministry of Health has already met with its Regional partner, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in order to assess the level of risk to the TCI. CARPHA has advised that there have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in the Caribbean, and overall, the risk of becoming infected with the Ebola virus in this Region remains low. Notwithstanding, the TCI is putting in place measures in order to respond to this potential threat. Standard precautionary measures are in place including isolation facilities, protective equipment and procedures for handling patients’ bodily fluids. Information has been shared with local health professionals so that they are able to recognize a patient presenting with symptoms of the Ebola Virus Disease, a travel history to an affected area and also timely alert and report to the national surveillance authorities.
Ebola virus is a viral hemorrhagic fever. It is a severe and often fatal disease. The virus originated in the Central Africa rainforest and is thought to have spread to humans by handling or butchering of infected animals such as monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees, forest antelopes, porcupines or bats.
A recent outbreak of EVD started in March 2014 and originated in Guinea. Since this outbreak, the disease has spread to neighboring countries. As of August 6th, 2014, the total number of cases that have occurred as a result of the EVD in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone stands at 1,779, including 961 deaths. This shows a death rate of 53%. According to WHO, Ebola outbreaks can have a death rate as high as 90%
An infected person will typically develop symptoms such as fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, sore throat, and intense muscle weakness. These symptoms start suddenly; 2 to 21 days after becoming infected, but onset of symptoms are more common 8 to 10 days after exposure. Additional symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, rash, chest and abdominal pain, severe weight loss and impaired kidney and liver function. The infected person may bleed internally, and from all orifices of the body i.e. ears, eyes and mouth.
Transmission requires direct contact with blood, mucous and other body fluids or secretions such as stool, urine, saliva and semen, of infected living or dead persons or animals. The Ebola virus can survive for several days outside the body, including on the skin of an infected person. A person is infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus. Ebola virus is not spread through food or water. Anyone who has close contact with or handles bodily fluids from an infected person is at greater risk of becoming infected; this includes hospital workers, laboratory workers and family members caring for patients.
Currently there are no vaccines or specific treatment or cure for Ebola virus disease. Patients need to be treated in intensive care with strict isolation to prevent spread of the infection.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is liaising with regional and international partners on a regular basis to receive updates about the number of cases detected and recommendations for travel and response. Although travel to the affected region is not restricted, the Ministry strongly discourages non-essential travel at this time because of the extent of the current virus outbreak. In addition, we would like to advise all persons with a history of recent travel to affected countries be aware of the symptoms and signs of Ebola and report to their healthcare providers early if they develop symptoms within three weeks of traveling. We also encourage the general public to take the following precautions:
- · Practice good personal hygiene at all times
- · Be aware of the risk factors of EVD (travel to affected countries, contact with bodily fluids of affected persons)
- · Be aware of the symptoms and signs of EVD and seek medical advice earl
The Ministry of Health and Human Services will be hosting stakeholder meetings in the near future in addition to making plans and preparations in response to the threat of Ebola. Updates on the Ebola virus disease will be shared with the general public as the situation develops
