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Ebola - Information for the Community
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Ebola - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ebola?
Ebola Virus Disease is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection
with the Ebola virus. It is associated with direct contact with patients
who have symptoms including: fever, severe headache, muscle pain,
vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding. These
symptoms can appear as long as 21 days after exposure to the virus.
How is Ebola Spread?
Ebola Virus Disease is spread through direct contact (through a cut
or wound or mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, mouth, etc.) with
blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola Virus Disease.
This can occur through contact with objects (such as needles or
syringes) that have been contaminated with these fluids.
- These fluids include but are not limited to: urine, saliva,
feces, vomit, sweat, breast milk and semen.
- Unlike the flu, Ebola is not spread through the air. Nor is it
spread through water.
- Persons are contagious only after they develop symptoms.
- It is essential to avoid contact with blood and body fluids of
infected persons (alive or deceased).
- The time from exposure until onset of symptoms is typically 8-10
days, but can range from 2-21 days.
How is Sarasota County preparing for a possible Ebola case?
In response to the heightened interest in Ebola Virus Disease
following the report of the first diagnosed case in the U.S., local
health officials are reaching out to key community partners, including
local hospitals and health care providers to provide guidance and
support as they activate their response plan for a possible Ebola case.
The Florida Department of Health, working with in consultation with
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), determines on a
case-by-case basis whether testing for Ebola is necessary. The
Department’s Bureau of Public Health Laboratories has the capacity to
conduct preliminary Ebola testing. In Florida, there is currently no
case from Sarasota County being tested.
Your public health department has been working to remind health care
personnel and health officials to increase their vigilance in patients
who have reported a history of travel to West Africa in the 21 days
before illness onset or for any patient presenting with fever or other
symptoms consistent with Ebola.
More information
Questions? Contact
the Office of Epidemiology and Disease Intervention Services:
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