Facts about Ebola for nurses and health professionals

The world is seeing the most extensive outbreak of Ebola viral disease (EVD) in history unfolding in Western Africa. Thousands of people have been exposed to this highly infectious and deadly disease, and many have died. The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working hard to develop methods to contain the outbreak and to develop promising vaccines and treatment.

AFT Nurses and Health Professionals and AFT Health and Safety have developed a fact sheet that provides an overview of Ebola viral disease and methods to protect potentially exposed healthcare workers. The fact sheet discusses Ebola symptoms, transmission, potential exposure, and the protections that need to be in place for healthcare workers.

In addition, AFT Nurses and Health Professionals sent a letter to the director of the CDC, Dr. Thomas Frieden, calling for the agency to provide not only its technical expertise during this outbreak but also modern equipment to protect healthcare workers.

Because the affected countries in Africa lack the public health infrastructure to contain the outbreak and support infected patients, the outbreak in Africa may go on for months. Although there have been no confirmed cases identified in the United States., it may be only a matter of time before diagnosed cases appear in North America.

We are fortunate to have public health and medical care systems that are equipped to handle and isolate cases. Right now, there is no significant risk of EVD exposure in the United States; nonetheless, nurses and other healthcare workers must have the protections they need to support patients should EVD reach the U.S.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities should have infection control practices and personal protective equipment in place to keep healthcare workers safe—as mandated in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's bloodborne pathogens standard and CDC infection control guidance. [AFT Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT Health and Safety]

August 25, 2014