Although the risk of the Ebola virus spreading in the U.S. is low, it is possible that additional cases might be identified in persons who had close contact with the first patient diagnosed in the U.S. or in other travelers. In response, the CDC issued a Health Advisory Alert on October 2, 2014 to highlight the recommendations for healthcare personnel and health officials when evaluating patients for Ebola infection.
Ebola signs and symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure, though 8 to 10 days is most common. Usually the first sign of Ebola is a high fever (higher than 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit).
To date, the only case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States is in Texas. No cases have been identified in Maryland. Local and state health departments will continue to respond to inquiries from medical providers.
Visit our How to Protect Myself From Ebola page to read the steps you can take in order to protect yourself from Ebola. How to Protect Myself From Ebola
The virus is spread by contact with an infected patient’s blood or bodily fluids, including saliva, urine, sweat, feces, vomit or semen. View the How Ebola Spreads From Person to Person page for more details. How Ebola Spreads From Person to Person
Please visit out Signs and Symptoms of Ebola page to read through the list of sign and symptoms for Ebola. Signs and Symptoms of Ebola
If you have traveled to Ebola affected countries: Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone please view our Traveled From an Ebola Affected Country page to find instructions on self-monitoring your health. Traveled From an Ebola Affected Country
At this time, there is no approved drug or vaccine for Ebola. Supportive therapy includes maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure; balancing the patient’s fluids and electrolytes; and treating them for any complicating infections.
Ebola only spreads when a person is sick. He/she must have symptoms to spread the disease to others. After 21 days, if an exposed person does not develop symptoms, he/she will not become sick with Ebola.
If you would like to learn more about Ebola by viewing the resources on our Learn More About Ebola page. Learn More About Ebola