The first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the United States, Thomas Eric Duncan, 42, died early Wednesday at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.

 

Health official across the country are on alert to make sure any other cases are diagnosed and isolated quickly.

 

The Ebola virus is one of a number of hemorrhagic fever diseases. Ebola disease causes severe illness in which 50 to 90 percent of those infected die. It was first discovered in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo near the Ebola River.

 

Symptoms for those infected with the Ebola virus include fever (greater than 101.5°F), severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal (stomach) pain and abnormal bleeding or bruising.

 

Symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is eight to 10 days.

 

Sherburne County Public Health Administrator Kathy Landwehr says since it is a reportable disease it is treated the same as other infectious diseases in the same category.

 

“Because it’s on the list of reportable diseases, the clinic or hospital would contact the Minnesota Dept. of Health (MDH) directly,” she says.

 

“They can call us (Sherburne County) and we’ll help them make that connection. But typically they will report directly to MDH.”

 

Since Ebola’s symptoms are similar to other diseases, health professionals are following specific guidelines to narrow down the possibilities when a person exhibits symptoms.

 

“Whenever we have a heightened risk, if people present with symptoms, we would do further investigation,” says Landwehr. “They’ll ask if they’ve done any traveling outside the U.S. It’s a little like detective work.”

 

Symptomatic individuals are asked whether they traveled to or lived in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone or Nigeria in the 21 days before symptoms began, or were exposed (direct contact with blood or other body fluids of a person known to have or suspected to have Ebola or bat/primate contact.)

 

Ebola is not spread through the air or by water.

 

Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola, or through objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus.

Reports say Duncan, who died from the Ebola virus, helped a pregnant woman get to the hospital in a taxi five days before he flew to the U.S. from Liberia. The woman was convulsing and vomiting at the time. 

 

Duncan showed no symptoms when he left Liberia Sept. 19 and arrived in Dallas Sept. 20. But five days later he was taken to the emergency room with a fever of 100.1 degrees, abdominal pain, a sharp headache and decreased urination.

 

Symptoms of Ebola are treated as they appear, including administering intravenous fluids and balancing electrolytes; maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure and treating other infections if they occur.

 

Although experimental vaccines and treatments for Ebola are under development, they have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness.

 

Duncan had been given brincidofovir, an experimental antiviral drug that had received emergency approval from the FDA.

There are no cases in Minnesota.

 

 “But we’re getting out all the information to clinics and hospitals so they’re aware what to watch for,” says Landwehr. “In the event there’s a suspected case, MDH can be brought in early so they can start the investigation.”

 

She says people can take the same precautions they would take to prevent contracting other illnesses.

 

“We’re asking people to wash their hands, cover their cough and stay home when they’re sick,” all of those things help prevent the spread of any illness.”

 

For more information about the Ebola virus, check the MDH website: http://www.health.state.mn.us