In 2014, some countries in West Africa experienced a dramatic increase in the number of Ebola cases. Because these countries no longer have widespread transmission of Ebola, no travel advisories are currently in effect.
Although this virus is very rare in the United States, and the last case in the U.S. was diagnosed on October 23, 2014 during the 2014 outbreak in West Africa, it is important to know the facts, so you can protect yourself if you ever have the need.
Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids (blood, vomit, pee, poop, sweat, semen, spit, or other fluids) of an infected, symptomatic person or though exposure to objects (such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected blood or bodily fluids. The virus can also be transmitted by infected animals, such as fruit bats or primates. Ebola can only be spread to others after symptoms appear. In most cases, symptoms appear 2 to 21 days following exposure.
Symptoms include the sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and in some cases, bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or rectum.
If you are ever in a situation where Ebola transmission is a risk:
University Health Services offers a free Nurse Advice Line for students 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can call for advice on how to care for an illness or injury at home or guidance about whether and how soon to see a healthcare provider. The phone number for the UHS UHS Nurse Advice Line at 512-475-6877.
For additional information about Ebola and updates about the disease, go to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ebola page.
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University Health Services is committed to providing high-quality care to patients of all ages, races, ethnicities, physical abilities or attributes, religions, sexual orientations, or gender identities/expression.
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