The technology and tactics of Ebola detection, prevention and mitigation of infected spaces. What stops Ebola? What should stop it but does not? What operational tactics are effective?

I was going to post this on our other thread, but it seems more relevant here.

A research organization, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota has found evidence that Ebola may be airborne, and that the N95 masks/respirators that are commonly used are ineffective, and "recommends the minimum protection for healthcare professionals in high-risk settings is a “powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) with a hood or helmet” that will filter 99.97% of all particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter."

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/10/14/CIDRAP-Confirms-Ebola-Transmittable-by-Air

Early disgnosis, minimal contact with infected person, rehydration, and a strong will to live appear to be a factor for some.

Dr. Ada Igonoh, one of the surviving doctors in Nigeria, shared her harrowing first-hand account a month or so ago: http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/09/15/mus...s-is-her-story/


Also, here's what they learned from treating the first two American health care workers transported to Emory, as explained by Dr. Bruce Ribner:

http://www.idweek.org/ebola_idweek_2014/

One interesting takeaway on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is why they upgraded from impermeable body protection to Powered & Supplied Air Respirators (PAPRs) --


--M

any chance you could find the citation from the organization itself, not the media outlet? I am crazy busy at work at the moment and can't do it.

Here it is:

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspecti...rotection-ebola

Powered air-purifying respirator are somewhat pricey, but will be much more comfortable than the standard S-10.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IEHZPBK

If you need one, it is probably best to get one now before they become unavailable.

No people for the virus to replicate in or a lack of people i.e. mean distance for the virus to transfer to another person from an infected person. So population density in a critical factor for the scale and speed of its deadly progression.

The virus has come and gone for years in Africa. When "gone" it must be in a reservoir somewhere so it can come back later...

Stopping an outbreak may not be the same as stopping the disease. Are there articles describing where virus has been between outbreaks?

According to the Wikipedia article: "Fruit bats are believed to be the normal carrier in nature, able to spread the virus without being affected."

Other mammals are known to become infected, including Gorillas and Chimps, and some monkeys. Various strains have infected pigs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola_virus_disease

With news that both Texas nurses, Pham and Vinson, will be treated at the biocontainment ward at Emory University, it seems like EMU is the place to be if you have Ebola.

Yesterday, there was finally a press release regarding the third mystery patient at Emory, a WHO doctor who contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone, and who is recovering. So, with Dr Kent Brantly, Nancy Writebol, and this third patient, Emory is 3 for 3. I would want to go there if I had Ebola.

I sense that there has been a shift in policy now. Before, the CDC's Dr Frieden said any US hospital should be able to safely treat an Ebola patient, but we've just seen in Madrid and Dallas that reality does not always live up to theory.

I'm curious to see if future Ebola patients are also transported to one the national biocontainment wards, which would confirm a shift in policy. There is some additional risk of contamination in transport, but the cumulative risk to healthcare workers treating someone over time seems to be worth the risk based on experience so far.

Edit: And in testimony before Congress this morning, a top official from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital says there was no hands-on training for the staff for Ebola before Mr Duncan came to their hospital.

So, all the more reason to transport Ebola patients to facilities that have specifically drilled for just such a situation for years.