During the 2014 West African Ebola epidemic, the case of Thomas Eric Duncan led to the infection of a nurse in his care. This case, along with the initial misdiagnosis, highlighted the necessity for US hospitals to provide medical personnel with additional training to contain the virus and prevent a potential domestic outbreak.

Ebola Transmission and Prevention in US Hospitals

The case of Thomas Eric Duncan in 2014 illustrates the timeline and transmission of Ebola. Nine days after helping transport an Ebola-stricken neighbor in Liberia, Duncan developed symptoms, corresponding to the virus's non-contagious eclipse period. He was initially misdiagnosed with sinusitis at a Dallas hospital and sent home, but returned two days later when his condition deteriorated and blood tests confirmed Ebola. He was quarantined but died several days later, prompting a back trace where public health officials monitored 10 high-risk and 50 low-risk contacts, none of whom contracted the disease.

Ebola Incubation and Transmission in the Thomas Eric Duncan Case

The 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa was an unprecedented outbreak that dwarfed other human Ebola epidemics in mortality, resulting in 10,179 deaths out of 24,666 reported suspected or confirmed cases.

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*Ebolavirus* is the pathogen responsible for Ebola Virus Disease.

Ebola Virus

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Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

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Ebola Virus Disease causes fever, severe headache, myalgia, cough, chest pain, and pharyngitis, followed by abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and hemorrhaging.

Signs and Symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease

2014 West African Ebola Epidemic

There are currently no approved therapeutic drugs or vaccines for Ebola. Although certain medications have demonstrated efficacy in laboratory and animal models, they have not undergone safety and effectiveness testing in humans and are in extremely limited supply.

Lack of Approved Ebola Treatments and Vaccines

The incubation period for the Ebola virus ranges from 2 days to 21 days. This timeframe corresponds in part to the eclipse period in the growth of the virus population, during which the infected individual cannot transmit the disease to others.

Ebola Virus Incubation Period

The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with droplets of bodily fluids, including saliva, blood, and vomit. The disease is highly contagious once the infected individual begins exhibiting symptoms, but cannot be transmitted during the asymptomatic incubation or eclipse phase.

Ebola Virus Transmission

Once an individual is identified as infected with the Ebola virus, the patient is immediately placed in quarantine. Public health officials then initiate a back trace to identify and monitor everyone who interacted with the patient while they were showing symptoms.

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