NEWS RELEASE Contact: Terry Frankovich, M.D., M.P.H. (906) 315-2650 Local Public Health Medical Director for Dickinson-Iron District Health Department, Marquette County Health Department, Public Health, Delta & Menominee Counties and Western U.P. Health Department Date: October 17, 2014 Immediate Release Ebola Virus Kingsford, Michigan – October 17, 2014. Ebola is a serious infection and because the world has gotten smaller as travel has gotten easier, it is very possible that we will see additional cases arrive in the U.S. According to Dr. Terry Frankovich, Dickinson-Iron District Health Department Medical Director, we should not expect to see widespread disease in this country. “In fact, influenza will cause vastly more illness and contribute to more deaths in the U.S. this winter than Ebola. It is important for people to remember that unless you are exposed to Ebola by traveling to a country with an active outbreak (Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia at present), or you have direct contact with someone who is ill with Ebola…you cannot develop this disease.” Still, local public health departments, hospitals, first responders and others in the community are making sure that plans are in place to manage a patient with possible Ebola. Individuals with symptoms such as fever, severe headache, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unexplained bleeding who ALSO have an exposure history, will be managed according to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Dr. Frankovich notes that since Ebola virus was first identified in Africa in 1976, several small outbreaks in remote areas have been detected and managed successfully. The current outbreak began in late August and is the largest one by far. It has spread more easily, in part because of its arrival in more populated urban areas and because of the sparse public health and healthcare delivery infrastructure, present in West Africa. Per Frankovich, “It is important to remember that although Ebola is very serious, it is one of many communicable diseases that are monitored and managed across the globe every day. Malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS, Dengue Fever, syphilis, chlamydia, salmonella and hundreds of others, circulate and have the potential to cause illness within communities. It is reassuring to note that the methods required to control the spread of disease are generally well-known, have been used for many years and can be implemented in all kinds of settings.” -More- There have been over 8,000 cases and 4,000 deaths due to Ebola during this outbreak. These numbers are understandably concerning. In modern times, few illnesses result in death for almost half of those diagnosed. But because Ebola is only spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is symptomatic with Ebola disease, it is not transmitted as easily as a disease that is spread through the air, such as measles. In addition, Dr Frankovich says, “Here in the U.S., we have the geographic advantage of being thousands of miles away from the outbreak and the scientific advantage of a well-equipped public health and healthcare system that is trained in treating and conducting surveillance for many infectious diseases…. and does this work every day.” Public health and healthcare systems are receiving lots of guidance on the management of possible Ebola cases and are readying their organizations to respond, should a case occur”, says Frankovich. “But please remember that Influenza is a much bigger threat to our residents this winter and we can all help to protect ourselves by getting a timely flu shot.” She also recommends that anyone with questions about Ebola, look to credible organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC.gov) and the Michigan Department of Community health (MDCH.gov), for more information. ###