Government confirms first case of Ebola in US
AP through News & Observer (Raleigh, NC), 30 September 2013
After arriving in the U.S. on Sept. 20, the patient began to develop symptoms on Sept. 24 and initially sought care two days later, Frieden said. The patient was admitted to the hospital on Sept. 28, when Texas Health Presbyterian put him under strict isolation. Blood tests by Texas health officials and the CDC separately confirmed an Ebola diagnosis on Tuesday.
Frieden would not reveal the patient’s nationality or age.
Asked how many people the patient may have had close contact with in that time period, Frieden said, “I think a handful is the right characterization.”
Note per our discussions in the last post, Ebola can gestate up to 21 days, but like many diseases, the symptoms (coughing, sneezing, biting, vomiting) are how it transmits to another host. So the long gestation period does help it to spread around, it tends to kill its host too quickly during the time period in which it is infectious. So much so that preparation of the body for the funeral is a common method that it is transmitted.
Note though, that the fact we still knowingly allow nonessential travel (family visits) from countries suffering from a potentially pandemic event, I think indicates that we have not seriously internalized the danger present.
Ya but I keep thinking back to my question from the other day.
ReplyDeleteDidn't they say you were infectious for up to 21 days before you showed symptoms?
What number of cases before I declare the Small-Hold a secure closed area?
Pioneer: No, you cannot transmit the illness for 21 days. Only for the few days you are sick, and then if someone is handling the dead body in an uncareful way. In Africa, they often wash the dead bodies before internment.
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