The Erie County Department of Health recently issued a notice about the potential dangers of an Ebola outbreak in Africa, mainly affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The information was issued as a response plan and data share on what to expect if cases begin to surface in Erie County. The issuing of the notice originates from the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) through the Health Alert Network (HAN).
This latest outbreak of the Ebola disease is caused by the Bundibugyo virus (BVD), and the risk of spread to the United States is low as this time, as per the issue from the CDC.
When asked for comment, LECOM at Corry Memorial Hospital did not make any public comment from any specific individual. Reassurance that the hospital has an action plan for any possibility is the only comment made when questioned by The Journal.
The Bundibungyo species of Ebola was discovered in Uganda in 2007 and has historically been associated with somewhat lower case fatality rates than other species of Ebola virus disease. Previous outbreaks of the virus have had mortality rates of 25%-50%.
While the risk of spread is low, the CDC is raising awareness to travelers and public health departments across the United States.
The incubation period for BVD is two to twenty-one days. A person infected with this type of virus is not considered contagious until after symptoms appear. Early symptoms include fever, aches, pains and fatigue. Later symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and unexplained bleeding, according to the Erie Department of Health.
Ebola disease is spread through direct contact and with bodily fluids of a person who is sick or has died from the disease. Transmission can also occur between humans from infected animals, or through objects such as needles that are contaminated with the virus.
There is currently no vaccine to protect against the Bundibugyo virus infection. The Ebola vaccines licensed or authorized to protect against the disease in the United States are designed for different species.