Ebola Virus

Northstar wrote:Doctors without Borders has treated over 2000 Ebola patients under primitive conditions in Africa. They have had two cross infections of staff. 2. This Dallas hospital, with all they have available to them treated 1 Ebola patient and now have 2 cross infections. What is wrong with this picture?

Quite frankly? Your perspective. We're all creatures of habit, and suddenly having to deal with an ebola patient breaks habits so hard that adjusting to the actual risks involved is difficult. Those Doctors without Borders people? They went in there knowing exactly what conditions they would be facing. Those nurses in Texas and Spain? They had their security briefings, but they were also surrounded by a lot of infrastructure that years and years of experience told them were safe to work in. In other words, the reason why these infections happened is because these people were in environments that they thought were safe. The DWB personnel in Africa? Not so much.

Also, good news: Nigeria and Senegal are nearing the end of the 42-day period without new infections that is required for a country to declare itself ebola-free.

The E wrote:

Northstar wrote:Doctors without Borders has treated over 2000 Ebola patients under primitive conditions in Africa. They have had two cross infections of staff. 2. This Dallas hospital, with all they have available to them treated 1 Ebola patient and now have 2 cross infections. What is wrong with this picture?

Quite frankly? Your perspective. We're all creatures of habit, and suddenly having to deal with an ebola patient breaks habits so hard that adjusting to the actual risks involved is difficult. Those Doctors without Borders people? They went in there knowing exactly what conditions they would be facing. Those nurses in Texas and Spain? They had their security briefings, but they were also surrounded by a lot of infrastructure that years and years of experience told them were safe to work in. In other words, the reason why these infections happened is because these people were in environments that they thought were safe. The DWB personnel in Africa? Not so much.

Also, good news: Nigeria and Senegal are nearing the end of the 42-day period without new infections that is required for a country to declare itself ebola-free.

My perspective is wrong? Excuse me. My perspective is not putting nurses in lethal danger from this bug.

Actually what is it? 25% of patients in American hospitals get infections in the hospital. - edit - I try to be accurate in what I say here. This is the percent I've read several places. I have since also read it is 1 in 25. Well, that is a whole different thing, though still not good and sounds too low from what I've read over many years. I do not know which is correct, so I'm editing here to give both versions. Heck, do they really know? The number is enough to cause concern. I'll leave it at that. - end of edit - American hospitals have been having an infection control problem for a long long time. It is not safe in them and their procedures -as actually done, not the theory- have been sloppy and dangerous for time out of mind. The media just do not report these on a daily basis.

I want the staff to be safe. I want them to have the training, equipment and attitudes to keep them safe. They are the ones in the most danger from Ebola. There is very little danger for your average person. I have no interest in panic mongering. But I do want these procedures tightened up so the healthworkers themselves are much safer.

Today I'm reading the Doctors without Borders guidelines are being adopted... so I guess my perspective is thought ok in some places.

edited for clarification by moi.

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What are body fluids?
Ebola has been detected in blood and many body fluids. Body fluids include saliva, mucus, vomit, feces, sweat, tears, breast milk, urine, and semen.

Can Ebola spread by coughing? By sneezing?
Unlike respiratory illnesses like measles or chickenpox, which can be transmitted by virus particles that remain suspended in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, Ebola is transmitted by direct contact with body fluids of a person who has symptoms of Ebola disease. Although coughing and sneezing are not common symptoms of Ebola, if a symptomatic patient with Ebola coughs or sneezes on someone, and saliva or mucus come into contact with that person’s eyes, nose or mouth, these fluids may transmit the disease.

What does “direct contact” mean?
Direct contact means that body fluids (blood, saliva, mucus, vomit, urine, or feces) from an infected person (alive or dead) have touched someone’s eyes, nose, or mouth or an open cut, wound, or abrasion.

How long does Ebola live outside the body?
Ebola is killed with hospital-grade disinfectants (such as household bleach). Ebola on dried on surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops can survive for several hours; however, virus in body fluids (such as blood) can survive up to several days at room temperature.

Are patients who recover from Ebola immune for life? Can they get it again - the same or a different strain?
Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and a patient’s immune response. Available evidence shows that people who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years, possibly longer.

We don’t know if people who recover are immune for life or if they can become infected with a different species of Ebola.

If someone survives Ebola, can he or she still spread the virus?
Once someone recovers from Ebola, they can no longer spread the virus. However, Ebola virus has been found in semen for up to 3 months. People who recover from Ebola are advised to abstain from sex or use condoms for 3 months.

Can Ebola be spread through mosquitos?
There is no evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only mammals (for example, humans, bats, monkeys and apes) have shown the ability to spread and become infected with Ebola virus.

The section regarding coughing and sneezing sounds suspiciously contradictory to me.

Developed antibodies from ebola survivors are good news and answers several of my own questions. Blood transmission from one such survivor has successfully been used as part of the treatment of another patient. Also good news.

Pham, 26, is in "good condition," according to the hospital where she was quickly isolated after reporting a fever.

A day after Pham's diagnosis, she received a blood transfusion from Ebola survivor Kent Brantley, an aid worker who contracted the disease while working in West Africa.

"I'm doing well and want to thank everyone for their kind wishes and prayers," Pham said in a written statement released by the hospital. "I am blessed by the support of family and friends and am blessed to be cared for by the best team of doctors and nurses in the world here at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas."

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/201 ... s-hospital



Ebola virus found in semen for up to 3 months is not good news. Having to trust people to abstain from sex that long ...

CDC site.
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/transmission/qas.html

The E wrote:

Northstar wrote:Doctors without Borders has treated over 2000 Ebola patients under primitive conditions in Africa. They have had two cross infections of staff. 2. This Dallas hospital, with all they have available to them treated 1 Ebola patient and now have 2 cross infections. What is wrong with this picture?

Quite frankly? Your perspective. We're all creatures of habit, and suddenly having to deal with an ebola patient breaks habits so hard that adjusting to the actual risks involved is difficult.

Habits can be good or bad, but give us the advantage of being able to do ROUTINE things without thinking them through from scratch. When a change happens, this can be very destructive and we need to THINK. Remember Fatu?

For a layman's level on the research on habits read:

"The Power of habits" by Charles Duhigg.

I'm now trying to get into the habit of managing my habits, instead of letting them manage me.

What drugs exist to combat the disease?

Two American missionary workers infected with Ebola were given an experimental drug called ZMapp, which seems to have saved their lives. The drug, developed by a San Diego firm, had never been tried before on humans, but it showed promise in small experiments on monkeys.

But rolling out an untested drug during a massive outbreak would also be very difficult, according to MSF. Experimental drugs are typically not mass-produced, and tracking the success of such a drug if used would require extra medical staff where resources are already scarce. ZMapp's maker says it has very few doses ready for patient use.

There are other experimental drugs. Tekmira, a Vancouver-based company that has a $140 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop an Ebola drug, began Phase 1 trials with its drug in January. But the FDA recently halted the trial, asking for more information.

At least one potential Ebola vaccine has been tested in healthy human volunteers, according to Thomas Geisbert, a leading researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch. And last week, the NIH announced that a safety trial of another Ebola vaccine will start as early as September.

And in March, the U.S. National Institutes of Health awarded a five-year, $28 million grant to establish a collaboration between researchers from 15 institutions who were working to fight Ebola.

"A whole menu of antibodies have been identified as potentially therapeutic, and researchers are eager to figure out which combinations are most effective and why," a news release about the grant said.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/07/world/ebo ... s-q-and-a/

Found this, don't know how good it is, comments please:

HSI is an alternate medicine information source, I'm not qualified to know how good they are. Note: when things change, a fast change of habits may be important DDHv


Ebola checklist: 5 steps you can take TODAY

Each day the Ebola news gets worse. The number of infections is rising. Our hospitals are not ready for the challenge.

It's clear our government doesn't have a clue how to keep you and your family safe. That's why the Health Sciences Institute has developed this essential list of five simple things you can do RIGHT NOW to stay safe from Ebola.

Make that: improve the odds, rather than stay safe. DDHv.

Step #1: Avoid commercial travel. Dozens of travelers from Ebola-ravaged regions are arriving at American airports each day. Remember that even common sense precautions like surgical masks will not fully protect you from the Ebola virus.

Step #2: Prepare your immune system: Some of the best supplements for this purpose include probiotics, echinacea, olive leaf extract, sambucus (also called elderberry), zinc and vitamin C.

For vitamin C, use the "bowel tolerance" test -- take as much (start with 5,000-8,000 mg.) that your bowels will tolerate. For probiotics, look for labels that specifically indicate live, living, or active cultures.

Note: some people are vitamin C intolerant. You are likely to know it if this is you. Others can only take 2 - 3,000 mg a day by mouth before bowel looseness. IVC is needed for really large dosages. DDHv.

Step #3: Try to stay out of the hospital: Avoid risky situations that could land you in the ER. A recent survey of nurses found that 80 percent had received no Ebola training, which puts ALL hospital patients at risk.

Step #4: Start taking silver NOW. Colloidal silver has been used for centuries to treat infections, and it may fight Ebola the same way it's been shown to stop similar viruses. Colloidal silver is well known for its ability to kill microbes and even antibiotic resistant superbugs.

Starting a silver regimen now will give you an upper hand if you should contract Ebola or any other virus. Colloidal silver can be found online, in big drug store chains and stores like GNC.

Step #5: Track down these promising treatments in your market. Some of the most effective Ebola treatments are not available at every doctor's office or hospital -- but you'll likely find them within driving distance. They include:
Hydrogen peroxide therapy: Intravenous hydrogen peroxide has already been highly effective against similar hemorrhagic diseases such as dengue hemorrhagic fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Omsk hemorrhagic fever and more.
Intravenous vitamin C: IVC is specifically designed to stop bacterial and viral infections. Dr. Robert Cathcart, an IVC pioneer, recommends "at least" 180 grams of IVC every 24 hours to control symptoms and bring down fevers.
Ozone: Ozone therapy has been used for more than a century for hard-to-treat illnesses ranging from infectious diseases to diabetes. The oxygen produced by ozone therapy helps neutralize viruses and build your immune system.
Finding hydrogen peroxide, IVC and ozone treatments locally can be a challenge. The American College for Advancement in Medicine can help you find an alternative health provider who can point you in the right direction.

Also ask your doctor to write a note requesting hydrogen peroxide, IVC and ozone be used as front-line treatments if you get sick.

Stop waiting for our government to protect you from Ebola -- it's time to take action to keep yourself and your family safe. Click below to share this checklist with the people you love.

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Another, political this time.


Friday morning

Douglas,

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), says the U.S. Ebola policy "seems to be dictated by politics rather than a common-sense approach to protecting the American public."

With news of a frantic search now underway to find shoppers at a bridal boutique where the second affected healthcare worker shopped, and another Texas healthcare worker now showing signs of the illness while self-monitoring on a cruise, it appears the U.S. is lagging far behind other countries in containing and stopping the spread of the deadly disease that claims more than 70 percent of its victims.

Health officials in the West African nation of Senegal and Nigeria have all but stamped out the disease that has already claimed in excess of 4,500 people.

Hooray for them! DDHv

Among the strategies employed, the Associated Press reports, authorities have closed borders, limited travel to and from affected areas, and "imposed tight air travel restrictions, tougher than those contemplated by the U.S. or British governments."

+ + Ted Cruz: "Congress Should Reconvene Over Ebola"!

Cruz, who was among the first to publicly call for the banning of flights to and from African countries being ravaged by the Ebola outbreak, has been joined by 71 members of Congress who support the ban. "If the President will not act, then leaders of Congress should reconvene," said Cruz to a Bloomberg reporter.

With pressure mounting in Congress to block Ebola flights, the time is NOW to schedule your "Stop Ebola Flights" faxes to key members of the House and Senate. Go here now to schedule faxes to your two Senators, Representative and other key members of Congress -- up to 106 Faxes for immediate delivery.

Following this massive citizen-led fax blitz, Grassfire will be hand-delivering our "Stop Ebola Flights" petition to Sen. Ted Cruz, House and Senate leadership and the Health and Human Services Department -- early next week!

Again, your faxes are the leading edge of growing citizen outrage over the way HHS and Barack Obama are handling the Ebola outbreak. Go here now to schedule your faxes, and pressure lawmakers to take necessary action to block Ebola flights!

After scheduling your faxes, take a few additional moments to contact your two Senators and Representative, urging them to support a ban on flights to and from Ebola devastated countries.

Here is your contact information:

Richard Burr: 202-224-3154

Kay Hagan: 202-224-6342

Call the Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

As evidenced by the growing number of lawmakers who now support travel bans, scheduling your faxes right now can play a pivotal role in building pressure against the President and HHS to stopping flights. Go here to schedule your faxes for fast delivery.

Your Friends At Grassfire

P.S. Be sure to share it on your Facebook page by clicking on the icon below:

Interesting thread and thank you. I for one must state that I have NOT been keeping abreast of all of this like I should be. I will finish with just saying that people will always find a way to screw things up and makes things worse. Just me. HB of CJ (old coot) Retired Registered Nurse and I am so glad!

HB of CJ wrote:Interesting thread and thank you. I for one must state that I have NOT been keeping abreast of all of this like I should be. I will finish with just saying that people will always find a way to screw things up and makes things worse. Just me. HB of CJ (old coot) Retired Registered Nurse and I am so glad!

Alas, human nature is what it is, my own included.

Perhaps hospitals might want to buy some cans of spray Lysol and like spray themselves before taking off quarantine gear. Just saying... Some bottles of Purel. Bleach water in a spray bottle. Vinegar water in a spray bottle. Envirochem in a spray bottle. Come on, people. We all learned basic germ control in kindergarten. Practice some.

Some darn bug can walk in the door anytime of any day anywhere. I wish admitting persons, or even doctor office receptionists, would keep this in mind a tad more seriously. How about putting sick people in a separate room from the finger cuts and broken legs? Just a thought... I do not see any serious infection control in medical admitting places, and this has always struck me as ...stupid. Some day, something may sashay in the door and it will not have a blinking light over its head giving warning.

Commenting on previous articles. There is some fearmongering stuff in those. Please double check facts and beware of political agendas... from all directions. Also profit motive agendas. Dosing yourself with silver can turn you grey. which is so charming. And would it stop Ebola? Doubtful.

Look, if Ebola goes airborne spread it is probably game, set match. And there is some anecdotal evidence, including from USAMRIID people, that it does sometimes. But that is just not showing up in field conditions, at least so far and may that continue to be the case.

All this do not fly stuff is without any rational basis. All of us need to not only get a grip but keep a grip. And turn our BS filters on. And consult them frequently. Please.

There are presently NO, -ZERO-, direct flights from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea to the USA. All flights go to Europe. People must change planes there and catch another flight to the USA.

I know they keep saying a quarantine does more harm than good. I am not in a position to judge that one way or the other. But the idea you have to let folks from those countries out of those countries willynilly so health workers and supplies can get through - as is argued lamely - is daft. Charter flights could be arranged for that stuff. Ditto the notion you cannot look at someone's passport and see where they have been or that they came from one of those countries 3 stops before.... That is another oh come on.

There are very serious and strict quarantine rules on livestock coming into the USA, have been for decades. This tells me somebody thinks quarantines do work. Otherwise why bother with those? Eh.

Hopefully, dumb luck and divine blessings are going to apply and no other healthworkers, or anyone else, is going to break with Ebola here in North America. Fingers crossed.

But there is still a huge mess in Africa, and every time Ebola invades another person is one more chance for it to tango with some other bug... say... the common cold ... and learn to go airborne too darn well. Quite aside from the humanitarian factors, this is yet another reason why that outbreak has got to be stopped ASAP.

Warning to government types so quick to send in the US Armed Forces; those troops start dying of Ebola and there will be hell to pay from the citizenry here. Utter and complete absolute HELL.

Let's all do our situational awareness and getting ourselves educated from reliable sober sources about infectious diseases, in general, and the assorted threats from them. We should do our Boy Scout Be Prepared stuff we should have all the time, anyway, regardless of this situation. And get on with living and enjoying our lives.

If an active Ebola patient has not vomited on you you are more likely to get hit with a meteor than get Ebola. OK?

Interesting article in http://www.vox.com from Dr Peter Jahrling on Ebola. Those who have read The Hot Zone may remember Dr Jahrling as one of the major figures in the Ebola Reston incident.

Click on the Ebola news. The article is currently down at the bottom, about Ebola becoming more contagious, and there are many other articles as well. Or google Peter Jahrling Ebola and you'll find it, and other stuff about him as well.