EBOLA

Rotarian Doctor William Osai made a very informative slide show and presentation regarding "Ebola."

Ebola is not a new disease, having been recorded and experienced in many countries of Africa from 1976 to the current 2014.

Recently though cases of Ebola have been reported in North America, raising significant concern regarding another very serious and often deadly disease.

Dr. Osai provided some background data regarding Ebola.  The disease is normally contacted through:

• Consumption of infected "Bush Meat."
• Coming in contact with body fluids of sick Ebola patients, such as blood; urine, feces; vomit; sweat.
• May be transmitted through animals, such as bats.

People that may have contact with people suspected of being sick with Ebola need to be very careful and protect themselves with the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in addition to avoiding any body fluids as mentioned earlier.

No one is immune from Ebola, and there currently is no cure for the disease, although early detection and treatment has been successful in saving 50% of infected people from death from the disease.

Survivors can carry the disease for a prolonged period of time, and their body fluids can be dangerous to others for up to about 3 months.

Ebola is not transmitted through water, air, food or contact with pets.

Doctor Osai was thanked for his presentation by Rotarian Loraina Stevens and President Leona Wilkinson, with another donation to our Rotary Polio Plus Program.