Guidance on Ebola outbreak 2014 Issue 2, 9 October 2014 MEDICAL INFORMATION For the latest medical information, please refer to: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ebola-public-health-questions-and-answers https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ebola-surveillance-and-contingency-planningongoing-in-uk https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ebola-virus-disease-clinical-management-andguidance http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ebola-virus/pages/ebola-virus.aspx http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/ http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/faq-ebola/en/ http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/ebola/06-october-2014/en/ http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/index.htm Below is a summary of information from the Public Health England Q&A sheet on Ebola, and other sources. What is Ebola? Ebola is a virus which causes haemorrhaging (severe, uncontrolled bleeding) leading to serious damage to a person’s vital organs. How is Ebola spread? The Ebola virus is transmitted by contact with blood or bodily fluids (mainly faeces and vomit) of an infected person or animal. This is by direct contact with a person, as well as via soiled clothing, sharing needles, and unprotected sexual contact with someone infected or recovering from the disease (for 7 weeks after recovery). Symptoms take up to 21 days to develop. Ebola is not transmitted by sitting next to someone or shaking hands. According to the World Health Organisation, Ebola is not spread through the air (e.g. by someone coughing or sneezing). What is my risk? According to Public Health England, unless you have been caring for someone who was ill with Ebola, or had physical contact with someone who died from Ebola, the risk of your catching it is very low. The National Travel Health Network and Centre states that “The highest risks of infection are associated with caring for infected patients, particularly in hospital settings and associated with unsafe burial practices.” What are the symptoms? The symptoms of Ebola are: sudden fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea, and intense weakness, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain. Symptoms develop between 2 and 21 days of direct contact with someone ill with Ebola or who has died of it in the affected countries (currently Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone). Remember, other viruses (e.g. flu, malaria, typhoid fever) have similar symptoms, and only doctors can diagnose what your illness is. If you have not been to West Africa and have these symptoms, it is most unlikely to be Ebola, but you may still require medical treatment. What should I do if I have such symptoms? Public Health England advises that if you experience the listed symptoms and have come from Guinea, Sierra Leone or Liberia within the previous 21 days, you should stay in your room and telephone 111 or 999. As well as telling them your symptoms, explain that you have recently come from West Africa. The medical services will provide advice and arrange for you to be taken to hospital if necessary to establish the cause of your illness. If you experience the listed symptoms but have not come from Guinea, Sierra Leone or Liberia, you should seek medical attention from your GP. Note: Staff and students who have only recently come to the UK and who have not yet registered with a General Practitioner (GP) should still use the NHS if they experience such symptoms. Is there anything I can do to protect myself and others? As with all viruses, washing your hands thoroughly with warm soapy water is the first step in protecting yourself. Wash your hands before you eat, and wash any raw food you will consume. Cough and sneeze into a tissue, and throw this away immediately – and then wash your hands. Maintain your immune system by eating healthily, and get sufficient sleep – you are more likely to fall ill if you are tired and run down. If you are ill, don’t mix with others, as you will just pass on your illness. EBOLA AND THE NORMAL CONDUCT OF SCHOOL BUSINESS What is the School’s policy on staff, students and visitors coming from affected countries? The LSE welcomes staff, students and visitors from all countries and has no intention of imposing any quarantine, screening or other restriction on those coming from countries affected by Ebola. There is always an increased incidence of coughs, colds, flu and other illnesses in the autumn months. People should not to come to work or study if they are ill, so they recover more quickly and do not pass their illness on to others. Travel and Fieldwork – Advice for those planning future trips to the affected area Anyone planning to go to West Africa during the current outbreak must contact the Health and Safety Team for advice, and must complete the appropriate Risk Assessment form at http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/LSEServices/healthAndSafety/policy/FieldworkOffsiteVisits.aspx . All such travel needs to be authorised by the relevant Head of Department or supervisor. The LSE’s travel insurers can advise on what services they can provide in case of illness while you are travelling, and whether they could assist with getting you out of the country if the situation deteriorates (even if you are well). See https://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/LSEServices/financeDivision/internal/staff/Travel/Home.aspx. If you are a national of the West African country where you will be working, make sure you notify the insurers in advance, as this can affect repatriation arrangements. Travel and Fieldwork – Advice for those in the affected area Most staff and students who were carrying out research in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea have left those countries. Any remaining staff and students who are in West Africa should monitor the situation, and stay in touch with colleagues or supervisors. A number of air carriers have suspended flights from affected countries, so make sure you consider how you would leave. There have been reports of panic buying of soap and cleaning products – there may be disruptions to other parts of the supply chain, for example to imports, if borders are closed. Check with your insurer about repatriation, and let them know whether you are a national of the country you are in. Avoid areas where the outbreak is most severe, and practice good hygiene. Page 2 Guidance on Ebola outbreak October 2014 Issue 2 Advice for someone becoming ill in a Hall of Residence If you experience any of the symptoms of Ebola and have recently arrived from West Africa, you must isolate yourself and call the emergency services on 111 or 999. If you share your room or any other facility, let the other people and the Hall Front of House staff know by telephone or email that you are ill. Prevent other people coming in contact with your bodily fluids (e.g. if you vomit). The LSE will follow public health advice to protect residents, staff and contractors should someone in the Hall be suspected of being ill with Ebola. Bereavement and illness of contacts Staff and students may have family members and friends who become ill through Ebola. The LSE’s Staff and Student Counselling Services can support people who are concerned about family and friends. They can be contacted at: http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/staff/staffCounselling/Home.aspx or http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/supportServices/healthSafetyWellbeing/adviceCounselling/st udentCounsellingService/Home.aspx Normal procedures for applying for compassionate leave or registering absence should be followed. Page 3 Guidance on Ebola outbreak October 2014 Issue 2