Cayman advised of African Ebola outbreak

The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority’s medical officer of health has issued a public health advisory following an outbreak of Ebola viral disease in West Africa in March.

The ongoing outbreak in West Africa was initially reported in Guinea and later on in May within Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Although public health officials consider it unlikely, it is possible that a person infected in Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone could arrive in the Cayman Islands. An individual infected with Ebola may arrive in the Cayman Islands with symptoms which began prior to departure or with symptoms that developed in transit or they may arrive before developing any symptoms, chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kiran Kumar, said.

Protective measures

Seaport and airport staff were advised of general protective measures against blood and body fluids and if they encounter passengers coming from the countries where there is an outbreak who appear ill, to refer to the Cayman Islands Hospital.

Local healthcare workers have been advised of the outbreak.

“While there are no borders for communicable diseases, it is unlikely that Ebola will pose a likely threat to the Cayman Islands,” Dr. Kumar said. “We do not have many travelers to and from the part of the world in which the outbreak is occurring, but things could change and for that reason we should not be complacent.”

Patients brought to US

An American physician was flown back to the United States over the weekend after becoming infected with the Ebola virus in Liberia. Dr. Kent Brantly was being treated in a special isolation unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. It is the first time a patient with the deadly virus has been brought into the country.

A second American infected with the virus, Nancy Writebol, is scheduled to arrive in the USA within a few days.

Ebola is a rare but serious viral infection that affects humans and animals such as monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees. It first appeared in Africa in 1976, since then it has spread to 10 African Nations.

The mode of transmission is not clear, but it is thought that humans become infected through contact with infected animals. When the infection does occur in humans, the virus can be transmitted to others by direct contact with the blood or secretions of an infected person and exposure to objects such as needles that have been contaminated with infected secretions.

The virus that causes Ebola viral disease is often spread through family and friends because they come in close contact with infectious secretions when caring for the sick. The disease can also spread quickly in healthcare settings when staff does not wear appropriate protective equipment such as masks, gowns and gloves.

Symptoms include fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite. In some cases, patients may experience a rash, red eyes, hiccups, cough, sore throat and chest pain along with difficulty in breathing and swallowing.