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Ebola Viral Disease for Healthcare Professionals

CDC: Ebola

Contact Us

  •  850-595-6683
  •  

    Fax

    850-595-6268
  •  

    Mailing Address

    Fairfield Service Center, 1295 West Fairfield Drive, Pensacola, Florida 32501 

     

     

The 2014 West African Ebola epidemic is the largest in history and is affecting multiple countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although the risk of an Ebola outbreak in the United States is very low, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Department of Health, and other partners are taking precautions to prevent this from happening. On September 30, 2014, the CDC confirmed the first travel-associated case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States. Early recognition is critical for infection control. Health care professionals should be alert for and evaluate any patients suspected of having Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

A Person Under Investigation (PUI) has both consistent symptoms and risk factors as follows:
1. Clinical criteria, which includes fever of greater than 38.6 degrees Celsius or 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and additional symptoms such as severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unexplained bleeding;

AND

2. Epidemiologic risk factors within the past 21 days before the onset of symptoms, such as contact with blood or other body fluids or human remains of a patient known to have or suspected to have EVD; residence in—or travel to—an area where EVD transmission is active (including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo); or direct handling of bats or non-human primates from disease-endemic areas.

Ebola is immediately reportable, 24/7, by phone upon initial suspicion to the Florida Department of Health in Escambia at 850-595-6683 or after hours at 850-418-5566.

Additional Resources 

Ebola Power Point Part 1 (6.83 mb)

Ebola Power Point Part 2 (12.0 mb)

Ebola Power Point Part 3 (3.60 mb)

Ebola Virus Disease Screening (187kb; doc)

Decision Algorithm to Assist with Testing and Monitoring (261.49kb; pdf)