Vermont ems Ebola Virus Disease Education

VERMONT EMS EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE EDUCATION

Patsy Kelso PhD, Vermont Department of Health State Epidemiologist

and Vermont EMS

2014 Ebola Outbreak

Vermont Department of Health - EMS

The Outbreak

Reports as of October 24: 10,141 cases 4,922 deaths

This is the largest Ebola epidemic in history CDC’s response is the largest international

outbreak response in CDC’s history On August 8, the World Health Organization

(WHO) declared the current Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) The PHEIC declaration underscored the need

for a coordinated international response to contain the spread of Ebola


Future Estimates of Ebola Cases in Liberia and Sierra Leone

In September 23 edition of MMWR,* CDC estimated the future number of Ebola cases if current trends continue in Liberia and Sierra Leone: Without additional interventions or changes in

community behavior, CDC indicated by January 20, 2015 there will be approximately 555,000 Ebola cases in Liberia and Sierra Leone, or 1.4 million if correction for underreporting are made.

Cases in Liberia are currently doubling every 15-20 days, and those in Sierra Leone and Guinea are doubling every 30-40 days.

* The MMWR article: Estimating the Future Number of Cases in the Ebola Epidemic – Liberia and Sierra Leone, 2014-2015It is available at

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su63e0923a1.htm, and a Q&A on the report is available at http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/qa-mmwr-estimating-future-

cases.html


Outbreak Challenges in West Africa

Overburdened public health and healthcare systems Unpaid

healthcare workers

Insufficient treatment centers, beds, medical supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE)


Background on Ebola


Ebola is a rare and deadly disease

First discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Outbreaks occur sporadically in Africa

Family of zoonotic RNA viruses

Historically, death rates from Ebola range from 50%-90%


Transmission

Ebola virus is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with: A sick person’s blood or body fluids, including

urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, and semen Contaminated objects (like needles and syringes) Infected animals (by contact with their blood,

fluids, or infected meat) Ebola virus has been detected in breast milk,

but is not know if the virus can be transmitted through breastfeeding

Not transmitted by mosquitos or other insects


Symptoms

Signs of Ebola include fever (greater than 38.0oC or 100.40F) (87%) and symptoms such as: Fatigue (76%) Vomiting (68%) Diarrhea (66%) Loss of appetite (65%) Severe headache Muscle pain Abdominal pain Unexplained hemmorrhage

The incubation period is 2 to 21 days (average 8-10 days) A person with Ebola is not contagious

until symptomatic


Testing & Treatment

Virus is generally detectable in blood by real-time RT-PCR between 3-10 days post-onset of symptoms, but has been detected for several months in certain secretions (e.g., semen)

No FDA-approved vaccine or antiviral drug is available

Symptoms are treated as they appear. Basic interventions, when used early, can significantly improve the chances of survival. Providing IV fluids and balancing electrolytes Maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure Treating other infections if they occur


Patient Recovery

Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive care and the patient’s immune response

People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years, and possibly longer

It isn’t know if people who recover are immune for life or if they can become infected with a different species of Ebola

Some people who have recovered from Ebola have developed long-term complications (joint and muscle pain, and vision problems)


CDC & EMS

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/interim-guidance-emergency-medical-services-systems-911-public-safety-answering-points-management-patients-known-suspected-united-states.html


Vermont EMS is

following the CDC’s guidance –

please read!

Vermont EMS Ebola Virus Disease Protocol

CDC & EMS PPE

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/procedures-for-ppe.html


Vermont EMS has

developed a check-list following

this guidance!

Vermont EMS PPE Donning & Doffing Checklist

Printable version is attached to this presentation as a document and is also viewable.

Please print as many color copies as necessary.


Alternative Vermont EMS PPE Donning & Doffing Checklist

Due to limitation in available PPE, the following checklist still adheres to available guidance

Printable version is attached to this presentation as a document and is also viewable.

Please print as many color copies as necessary.


Next Steps

Watch the following video (approximately 21 minutes) on donning and doffing of PPE NOTE: Please be cognizant of the poor foot

hygiene at the end of the video (stepping in clean shoes in areas where booties were worn)

Review the Vermont EMS Ebola Virus Disease Protocol

Review the Vermont EMS PPE Donning & Doffing Checklist

Train with your service! (Train the trainer for Donning & Doffing coming soon)


Next Steps

Any questions should be addressed to: [email protected]

FAQs are being developed

This training will be updated as needed


Vermont ems Ebola Virus Disease Education

Documents

Transcript of Vermont ems Ebola Virus Disease Education