Health officials are monitoring the condition of four people in Oregon and 23 in Washington state who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus.
Those under observation have recently returned from Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Small outbreaks have been reported in both countries.
The Oregon Health Authority said that they returned to the United States in early March and that the chance of having contracted the virus is low.
Public health officials in Washington confirmed that nearly two dozen people were being monitored in the state on Friday, following an announcement by authorities in Oregon on Thursday.
OHA Public Health Division Medical Safety, Preparedness and Response Director Richard Leman said: “We want to make sure these individuals have the support they need to monitor their health, stay in touch with public health officials and get help with safety. medical services, if applicable. “
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta issued a requirement that anyone returning from an area with an active outbreak be monitored for 21 days – the virus incubation period.
Ebola can only be contracted through contact with body fluids and cannot be transmitted by asymptomatic people.
Initial symptoms include fever, pain and fatigue. These then progress to what are known as “wet” symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes followed by bleeding. If not treated quickly, it can be deadly.
Ebola is transmitted differently from Covid-19, which is contracted through aerosolized droplets usually inhaled by those who get sick. Coronavirus can also be transmitted by people without symptoms.
No details were released about those under observation due to privacy concerns.
Guinea recorded 18 cases and nine deaths, and the DRC, 12 cases and six deaths. To date, outbreaks are restricted to small areas with few populations.
A vaccination effort is underway, with officials hoping to eradicate the virus in six weeks.
The CDC issued a travel notice for both countries.
A 2014-2016 outbreak killed 11,000 people across West Africa and prompted the Obama administration to develop a “Pandemic Handbook” through the National Security Council.