September 19: The adult patient boards a flight to the U.S.
in Liberia after being screened for Ebola symptoms
September 20: The patient arrives in the United States
September 24: Patient shows first symptoms of Ebola
September 26: Patient seeks initial medical care
September 28: Patient admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian
Hospital Dallas
A Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital spokesman said the
patient has been in isolation since he arrived on Sunday, and hospital
officials had been "meeting for weeks in anticipation of such an
event." He added that the facility has a "robust infection control
system" in place.
Dr. Frieden said he believes "a handful" of people
had contact with the patient between the September 24-28, including family
members and "a couple" of community members. Those people are to be
monitored by the CDC starting Tuesday.
The virus is not contagious until symptoms are present.
Early symptoms of Ebola include sudden fever, fatigue, and headache. Symptoms
may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure.
Statement by Dallas County Health and Human Services
Director Zachary Thompson; “'This is not Africa. We have a great infrastructure
to deal with an outbreak.'
What Are the Symptoms of Ebola?
Early on, Ebola can feel like the flu or other
illnesses. Symptoms show up 2 to 21 days after infection and usually include:
-High fever
-Headache
-Joint and muscle aches
-Sore throat
-Weakness
-Stomach pain
-Lack of appetite
As the disease gets worse, it causes bleeding inside
the body, as well as from the eyes, ears, and nose. Some people will vomit or cough up blood,
have bloody diarrhea, and get a rash.
Because the natural reservoir host of Ebola viruses
has not yet been identified, the manner in which the virus first appears in a
human at the start of an outbreak is unknown. However, researchers believe that
the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal.
Transmission
When an infection does occur in humans, the virus
can be spread in several ways to others.
-Ebola is spread through direct contact
(through broken skin or mucous membranes) with blood or body fluids (including but not limited to
urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola.
-objects (like needles and syringes) that have been
contaminated with the virus
infected animals.
-Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or
in general, food. However, in Africa,
-Ebola may be spread as a result of
handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected
bats.
-Healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients and
the family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients are at the highest
risk of getting sick because they may come in contact with infected blood or
body fluids of sick patients.
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