Ebola Preparedness

What we know

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared West Africa free of Ebola virus transmission. Public health authorities in West Africa are maintaining active surveillance for new cases of Ebola.
• Enhanced entry screening has been discontinued for travelers coming to the United States from West Africa.
• During the outbreak, there was one death of a known patient in Texas and two healthcare providers who became infected by this patient. There were a number of suspect cases throughout the US including Los Angeles but no other cases were confirmed.
• Ebola is not airborne; it is transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of infected patients.

What we are doing

• Developing a comprehensive emerging infectious disease response program to continue preparations and response plans to safely care for any emerging infectious disease patient
• Working closely with the California Department of Public Health, LA County Department of Public Health, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to maintain situational awareness and support
• Reviewing and updating emerging infectious disease plans and procedures
• Providing enhanced PPE training for staff involved in response and care of an emerging infectious disease patient and providing additional PPE training opportunities for day-to-day operations
• Posting signage in emergency patient care areas to assist with screening for travel/symptomatology related to emerging infectious diseases
• Reviewing initial patient history and triage processes with clinicians to highlight surveillance
• Modifying the electronic health record (EHR) to create better transparencies for travel history, risk factors/symptoms related to the disease
• Working with clinical staff to develop an Emerging Infectious Disease Response Team consisting of physicians and nurses that could be activated if necessary
• Working with ambulatory care sites to develop appropriate protocols

Symptoms consistent with Ebola (EVD)

• Fever >100.4
• Headache, myalgias, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea

Epidemiology

• Humans are not infectious until they develop symptoms.
• The time interval from infection to onset of symptoms is 2-to-21 days.
• You can access the World Health Organization website outlining key facts about EVD.
• Frequently Asked Questions from the California Department of Public Health can be found here.

News

• Governor Brown and the California Health and Human Services Agency announced that all five University of California medical centers, including UCLA, have been identified as priority hospitals to treat confirmed patients with Ebola

To support our efforts fighting diseases worldwide, visit the UCLA Center for World Health.