KIRTLAND LOCAL SCHOOLS
Kirtland • Kirtland Hills • Waite Hill • Chardon Township
9252 CHILLICOTHE ROAD, KIRTLAND, OHIO 44094
(440) 256-3360 FAX: (440) 256-3831
Recognized Nationally and State-Wide for Educational Excellence
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Mr. Steve Barrett
TREASURER
Mr. Stephen Vasek
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Tom Meyer, President
Kat Torok, Vice President
Timothy Cosgrove
Joe Solnosky
Ron Stepanovic
October 20, 2014
Dear Parents,
There's been a lot in the news in Northeast Ohio about the Ebola Virus. Some of our younger students
have asked our school nurses about the virus and if they are in danger in Kirtland. We have tried to allay
their fears, but it is understandable that they have questions and are scared. We will do all we can to
make them feel safe.
We have listed some facts about what has happened in Northeast Ohio recently concerning the Ebola
Virus. We hope this helps you have a greater understanding of the virus. We also hope that you can talk
to your children and allay any fears they may have. We will continue to do so at school.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Steve Barrett
Superintendent
Things to Keep in Mind about Ebola
1. Your child is not at risk while attending school. A risk for Ebola only comes when
you come into close contact with a person suffering from Ebola. The health care worker
who passed through Northeast Ohio was not in Kirtland or Lake County.
2. Being near someone who is sick with Ebola doesn't mean you'll get infected. The
disease isn't contagious like the flu or common cold. You have to be in contact with a
patient's body fluids (such as blood, saliva, sweat, vomit, or feces). You have to have a
break in your skin or have the fluids touch your eyes, mouth or nose for transmission.
3. Ebola does not live long on surfaces or outside someone's body. Soaps, detergents
and hand sanitizers are effective at killing bacteria and virus. Keeping your area clean
and washing your hands will help prevent all infections.
4. People are really only at risk if they have traveled to West Africa, where Ebola is
currently spreading.
5. While the threat of Ebola is frightening, the real risk is very low. If you or your child
has a fever, headache, vomiting or diarrhea, and no exposure to someone with Ebola,
Ebola is among the least likely causes of these symptoms. Taking a calm, rational
approach is advised. Contact your doctor for concerns. As always, if your child is ill, he
or she should stay home to avoid spreading any infection.
6. There are currently no known cases of Ebola in Kirtland or Lake County or Ohio.
More Information about the Ebola Virus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ebola and what are the symptoms of illness from Ebola?
Ebola is a rare and severe disease caused by infection with the Ebola virus. Symptoms may appear anywhere
from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average time is 8 to 10 days. Signs and symptoms of illness
from Ebola typically include: fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F), severe headache, diarrhea, stomach pain,
vomiting, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
How is Ebola spread?
Individuals with Ebola cannot spread the virus until symptoms appear. The virus can be spread only through
bodily fluids. It is not an airborne disease.
How does someone become infected with Ebola?
Infection with Ebola can be spread to others only by:
Directly touching blood or bodily fluids (including feces, saliva, urine, or vomit) of a person who is sick with
Ebola.
Directly touching objects (like needles) that have been contaminated with blood or bodily fluids of a person who
is sick with Ebola or infected animals.
Ebola is NOT spread through the air or water.
A person infected with Ebola IS NOT contagious until symptoms appear.
Who is at the greatest risk of exposure?
In an outbreak, those at highest risk include healthcare workers and family and friends of a person infected with
Ebola.
What can I do to prevent being infected?
Always wash your hands with soap and water. Cook food properly. Consider visiting a health facility when you
have a headache, fever, pain, diarrhea, red eyes and vomiting.
What treatment is available for Ebola?
Currently there are no specific vaccines or medicines (such as antiviral drugs) that can prevent or treat Ebola.
Symptoms of Ebola are treated as they appear.
How are symptoms monitored?
Persons who remain healthy after 21 days are not at risk for Ebola and can stop monitoring for symptoms.
Is it safe for my child to attend school?
Your child is not at risk for Ebola while attending school. There is a possible risk for Ebola only if you come into
contact with a person ill with Ebola.
This information has been compiled from CDC resources. For more information,
visit the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/resources/index.html#crfactsheets