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Ebola

Ebola is a rare disease that causes serious illness and can be fatal. It is caused by an Ebola virus found in several African countries. However, outbreaks have been sporadic. Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and a person’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.

What Are the Signs of Ebola? 

Ebola is a serious illness caused by the Ebola virus. Symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Severe headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain
  • Unexplained bleeding or bruising

Symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after coming in contact with someone infected with Ebola. Symptoms commonly appear after eight to 10 days.

What Head Start or Child Care Programs Should Know About Ebola

See PDF version: What Head Start Programs Should Know About Ebola [PDF, 482KB]

How Does Ebola Spread? 

The Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola. This includes, but is not limited to: feces, saliva, sweat, urine, vomit, and breast milk. The virus in blood and body fluids can enter another person through broken skin or through the eyes, nose, or mouth. 

It is important to know that:

  • The Ebola virus is not spread through air or by water, or by any food grown or approved for consumption in the U.S.
  • A person who has been exposed to the Ebola virus but does not have symptoms is not infectious.

Who Is at Risk? 

Anyone who comes in contact with the blood or body fluids of a person sick with Ebola is at highest risk for infection. 

In the U.S., children are at greater risk of catching seasonal flu than they are the Ebola virus. Unless a child has had direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is sick with Ebola, most children are not at risk. 

How Is Ebola Diagnosed?

If you suspect a child in your program has Ebola, you should ask the parent to take the child see his or her doctor. 

  • Make sure all children and adults use good handwashing techniques, including scrubbing with soap or alcohol-based gels (hand sanitizer). Soap and water is preferred if hands are visibly soiled. 
  • If you have recently traveled to West Africa or may have been exposed to someone sick with Ebola, be sure to follow your local public health agency's instructions.

How to Talk to Children about Ebola?

  • Be honest. Answer questions based on the facts.
  • Speak in a calm tone of voice and use reassuring words. Reinforce that parents, staff, and other adults in the child's life are working together to keep everyone healthy. 
  • Be clear about the differences between images they may have seen of West African countries and the situation in the United States.
  • Reduce any stigma by stressing that Ebola is caused by a virus, not a person, and that the virus is difficult to transmit (i.e., it is not airborne).
  • Remind children to wash their hands. Good hand-washing is not only beneficial for a child's health, but it can also help the child feel able to make a difference.

Implications for Head Start Programs 

  • All children and staff should be screened for Ebola if there has been an exposure within the center.
  • It is recommended that children and staff infected with Ebola only be excluded from the Head Start center until treatment is started and the doctor determines the child or staff member is no longer infectious. 
  • In the unlikely case that a staff or volunteer has had contact with person sick with Ebola, he or she may be asked by public health authorities to remain at home for up to 21 days. Programs should review their emergency plans and staffing availability to ensure adequate coverage, if needed.
  • Staff absences may represent the primary challenge to most Head Start programs. Absences may be related to staff illness or may be caused by worried employees who fear exposure to Ebola in the workplace. 

How Can Programs Limit the Spread of Ebola?

Once a case of Ebola is identified within a center, the child or adult should be excluded for further testing and medical treatment, if necessary.

  • Programs should separate soiled bedding from cribs, mats, cradles, or cots from other used laundry to avoid contamination. Soiled bedding should be washed separately on "hot" or "cold" washing cycles and regular drying cycles.
  • Infected areas should be washed with mild soap and running water or with an approved sanitizer.

Where Can I Learn More?

What Parents Should Know About Ebola

See PDF version: What Head Start Parents Should Know About Ebola [PDF, 386KB]

How Does Ebola Spread?

Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola. This includes, but is not limited to: feces, saliva, sweat, urine, vomit, and breast milk. The virus in blood and body fluids can enter another person through broken skin or through the eyes, nose, or mouth. 

It is important to know that:

  • Ebola virus is not spread through air or by water, or by any food grown or approved for consumption in the U.S.
  • A person who has been exposed to the Ebola virus but does not have symptoms is not infectious.

Who Is at Risk?

Anyone who comes in contact with the blood or body fluids of a person sick with Ebola is at highest risk for infection.

Children are at greater risk of catching seasonal flu than they are the Ebola virus. Unless you or your child has had direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is sick with Ebola, you and your children are not at risk.

How Is Ebola Diagnosed?

If you suspect your child has Ebola, you should have your child see his or her doctor.

Should My Child with Ebola Be Excluded from Head Start?

Children diagnosed with Ebola should remain out of the center until a doctor determines the child is no longer infectious. Your child's Head Start center might ask for a note from your doctor to clear your child to return.

How to Stop the Spread of Ebola?

  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils, with people who are sick.
  • Clean household surfaces such as countertops, doorknobs, sinks, and toilets often.
  • If you provide care to other children who are sick, wear gloves when treating a scrape or changing a diaper. These gloves, used bandages or diapers, and other such materials should be removed and safely thrown away to avoid contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. Wash your hands again after removing gloves.
  • If you have recently traveled to West Africa or may have been exposed to someone with Ebola, be sure to follow your local public health agency's instructions.

How to Talk to Children about Ebola?

  • In order to reduce your child's fears of Ebola, it is best to limit his or her exposure to TV reports on the disease.
  • If children have seen pictures or videos from West Africa, explain that the situation in the United States is very different and what they may have seen on TV is not happening near them.
  • Be honest. Answer questions based on the facts and as age-appropriate. 
  • Reduce any stigma by stressing that Ebola is caused by a virus, not a person, and that the virus is difficult to transmit (i.e., it is not airborne).
  • Remind children to wash their hands. Good hand-washing is not only beneficial for your children's health, but it can also help your children feel able to make a difference.
  • How Do I Talk to My Child about Ebola

Where Can I Learn More? 

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,  Physical Health