Download truth or myth about ebola

TRUTH OR MYTH ABOUT EBOLA
(ANSWER KEY)
1. Ebola virus is airborne, waterborne or spreads
through casual contact. - MYTH
Ebola is not spread through the air, by water, or in general, by food.
However, in Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (In
Africa, wild animals are hunted for food) and contact with infected bats. There is
no evidence that mosquitoes or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only a
few species of mammals (e.g., humans, bats, monkeys, and apes) have shown
the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus.
Reference:
Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease). (November, 2014). Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Retrieved on November 16, 2014 from:
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/transmission/index.html
2. The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is only infectious
when the person is showing symptoms of the disease
- TRUTH
The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to
onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days. Humans are not infectious until they
develop symptoms. First symptoms are the sudden onset of fever fatigue,
muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea,
rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both
internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools).
Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated
liver enzymes.
Reference:
Ebola Virus Disease Fact Sheet. (September, 2014). Retrieved on November 16,
2014
from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/
Ebola is not transmissible if someone is asymptomatic or once someone
has recovered from it. However, the virus has been found in semen for up to
three months.
Reference:
Ebola Fast Facts. (November, 2014). CNN Health. Retrieved on November 16,
2014 from: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/11/health/ebola-fast-facts/
3. The current EVD outbreak in West Africa is the
biggest since the virus was discovered in 1976 TRUTH
The current outbreak in West Africa, (first cases notified in March 2014), is the
largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first
discovered in 1976. There have been more cases and deaths in this outbreak
than all others combined. It has also spread between countries starting in Guinea
then spreading across land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia, by air (1 traveler
only) to Nigeria, and by land (1 traveler) to Senegal.
Reference:
Ebola Virus Disease Fact Sheet. (September, 2014). Retrieved on November 16,
2014
from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/
4. EVD is extremely contagious - MYTH
Ebola is extremely infectious but not extremely contagious. It is
infectious, because an infinitesimally small amount can cause illness. Laboratory
experiments on nonhuman primates suggest that even a single virus may be
enough to trigger a fatal infection.
Reference:
Ebola Fast Facts. (November, 2014). CNN Health. Retrieved on November 16,
2014 from: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/11/health/ebola-fast-facts/
5. Ebola cannot be treated by antibiotics – TRUTH
Are you aware that colds, flu, most sore throats, and bronchitis are caused by
viruses? Did you know that antibiotics do not help fight viruses? It's true.
Plus, taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good.
Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an
infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Reference:
Get Smart – Know when Antibiotics Work. (September, 2014). Centers for
Control and
Prevention. Retrieved on November 16, 2014 from:
http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/know-and-do.html
6. A licensed vaccine for EVD is ready for use - MYTH
No FDA-approved vaccine or medicine (e.g., antiviral drug) is available
for Ebola.
Experimental vaccines and treatments for Ebola are under development, but they
have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness.
Reference:
Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease). (November, 2014). Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Retrieved on November 16, 2014 from:
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/treatment/