First it was the Swine Flu (H1N1), and Mono (the kissing disease) has been around forever, but now a new disease has contaminated headlines all over the world. Ebola, originating in West Africa, has been infecting communities since the 1970s but has recently become a more highlighted concern due to the newly intensified outbreaks of the virus. According to World Health Organization, Ebola has five species that have most likely originated from fruit bats or handling dead animals.
While the report of the disease at Yale in Connecticut was a false alarm, recently in New York there has been a confirmed case. This means that there is potential for the disease to come to CT because many people travel to New York from CT daily. Since Ebola has a long incubation period, someone could contract the diseases and then become a carrier and spread it without even knowing. Right now, this is not as big of a concern because all known cases have been contained, but it is still important to know the facts and symptoms associated with Ebola incase a situation like this does occur.
Many airports have restricted or even banned flights to and from West Africa to prevent disease spread. Bradley International Airport located near Hartford has even increased security. Bradley does not run non-stop international flights other than to and from Canada, but all of the attendants and security have been encouraged to look out for anyone exhibiting symptoms.
As of Oct. 20 the Center for Disease Control supplied that there have been only four known confirmations of Ebola infection in the US, and all have been isolated for at least the incubation period (minimum of two days, maximum of 21). They have also confirmed that Nigeria has been free of the disease for 42 days. There is one case of Ebola in Spain and cases of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the ongoing epidemic in West Africa.
To contract the disease, a person must either come into contact with an infected person or an infected animal. Transmission occurs primarily through fluids like blood or mucus. Symptoms include a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, headache, stomach pain, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained bleeding or bruising, coughing up blood, and bleeding from the eyes or ears.