Ebola Virus Outbreak In West Africa 2014 Infection Spreads To 2 U.S. Patients: America's first Ebola virus patient has been transferred from West Africa to the U.S. Media reports say that he is 'improving and is in good spirits. The man infected with the deadly virus is Dr. Kent Brantly, who was assisting in the medical care of those affected during the Ebola outbreak in Liberia. Nancy Writebol who was also infected with Brantly is also being taken care of in Atlanta after she arrives.
Since March, the West Africa Ebola virus outbreak infected 1,440 and killed 826 people. These figures are from the World Health Organization.
According to Director of Centers for Disease control Tom Frieden, “Could we have another person here, could we have a case or two? Not impossible,” He added, “We say in medicine never say never. But we know how to stop it here,” CBS reported. Frieden also said that an outbreak like the one in West Africa was unlikely in the U.S. due to better burial practice and infection controls.
Dr. Brantly and Nancy Writebol, both U.S. citizens are expected to receive medical care for 2-3 weeks before a positive outcome can be determined. Meanwhile, Bruce Ribner, Emory's infections disease specialist said there is no Ebola virus cure. In normal cases, patients are given fluids, antibiotics to stave off infections and blood transfusions assisting immune systems to battle the Ebola virus. The Ebola is similar to HIV/AIDS in the mode of transmission, say experts.
The Center for Disease Control confirmed the first Ebola infection in the U.S. and Brantly and Writebol are the first cases of Ebola on U.S. soil. There is some anxiety among the public regarding the spread of Ebola to others, but the CDC is working in collaboration with the hospital and transport services to ensure the evacuation of the patients, the spokesperson for the agency Barbara Reynolds said.
“We’re here to make sure the transportation process and the care here in the U.S. ensures there’s no spread,” she said adding, “It’s important to remember this is not an airborne virus, it requires close contact with body fluids. It’s minimal risk as long as the people caring for the patient use meticulous procedures.”
