How do I protect myself against Ebola?

Monday, October 13, 2014

The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed that a nurse in Dallas, Texas is the first person to contract the ebola virus in the United States. Nina Pham caught ebola while treating the first man to bring the virus into the U.S.

As concern over ebola increases, here is advice from the CDC on how to protect yourself against the illness, especially when traveling overseas.

Wash hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Avoid contact with blood and body fluids of any person, particularly someone who is sick.

Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person's blood or body fluids.

Do not touch the body of someone who has died from Ebola.

Do not touch bats and nonhuman primates or their blood and fluids and do not touch or eat raw meat prepared from these animals.

Avoid hospitals where Ebola patients are being treated. The U.S. Embassy or consulate is often able to provide advice on medical facilities.

Seek medical care immediately if you develop fever (temperature of 101.5F/ 38.6C) and any of the other following symptoms: headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bruising or bleeding.

Limit your contact with other people until and when you go to the doctor. Do not travel anywhere else besides a healthcare facility.

According to the CDC, U.S. citizens should avoid all nonessential travel to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and take enhanced precautions when visiting Nigeria.

For travel notices and other information for travelers, visit the Travelers' Health Ebola web page.