Next week marks my 11th year in the infection prevention
world, however my interest in outbreak investigation started well before
that. I would say it all began as early
as 1985 after watching the science fiction - horror film Warning Sign where
there was an outbreak of a virulent bacteria in a secret military laboratory
operating under the guise of a pesticide manufacturer. Secret labs always run into bad luck do they
not? Ten years later, came Outbreak and
the American medical disaster film with its Ebola-like virus called
Motaba. I was hooked. It seems fitting that in 2003, almost 10
years after Outbreak debuted, I started in the industry during the first wave
of SARS and now as I head into my 11th year, the virus that really got me
interested in infection prevention is hitting the news.
As of last week, there were at least 80 infections and 59 deaths. Hitting
closer to home, there was speculation that a man who had taken ill in
Saskatchewan after a recent trip to western Africa may have contracted Ebola on his travels. He has since been cleared,
but it certainly sends a message that like SARS in 2003, worldwide travel has
the potential to bring pathogens - often deadly ones - to geographical areas
they are not native to.
by far one of the scariest known human
pathogens due to its fatality rate of approximately 83%. Discovered in
Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1976 there have now been 5
species of Ebolaviruses identified, with 4 of the 5 virus species causing
illness to humans. Unfortunately, the
reservoir host for Ebolaviruses has yet to be found. Researchers believe the virus is zoonotic in
nature and bats are the most likely culprit.
that can be transmitted via direct contact with blood or secretions of an
infected person, and exposure to fomites that have been contaminated with
infected secretions. Symptoms may appear
anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebolavirus, though 8-10 days is
most common. Symptoms characterizing
Ebola are unspecific in the first few days of the infection, making the virus
even more dangerous. Infection is marked
by initial signs of fever, fatigue, exhaustion, muscle aches, and dizziness. As
the disease progresses bleeding under the skin, in internal organs, and from
the eyes, ears, and mouth are seen. Patients with severe progressions of the
disease express symptoms of shock, delirium, coma, seizures, and nervous system
malfunction.
through household contacts (families and friends) because of close contact with
infectious secretions while caring for the ill.
Likewise within healthcare settings the virus can spread rapidly,
particularly if hospital staff are not wearing the appropriate PPE (masks,
gowns and gloves). Cleaning and
disinfection of fomites and medical equipment is an important part of
minimizing transmission.
sitting in a plane on a trip back from Des Moines, Iowa via Chicago. The fact
that worldwide travel (okay, North American for me) can be accomplished in a
matter of days really hits home! We just
truly never know when an infected person, or contaminated food or object may be
on its way to spread disease to unsuspecting populations! Since my introduction to the idea of
outbreaks almost 30 years ago, my interest has never waned. I'm curious to learn what the next 10 years
has in store!
