or Guinea may be at risk of having come in contact with individuals infected with Ebola, yet be asymptomatic. If this is
444 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 3400 Chicago, IL 60611 P: 312/440-8900 F: 312/467-1806 www.adha.org For Immediate Release Contact: John Iwanski, ADHA Director of Communications 312/440-8923
[email protected] www.adha.org
American Dental Hygienists’ Association Shares Information to Raise Awareness, Reduce Concern About Ebola Virus Disease Chicago (Oct. 17, 2014) — The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) understands the concerns raised about the recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD), and continues to review materials and information shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP). The ADHA is committed to ensuring the most current news and information regarding Ebola is available to the dental hygiene and health care communities, as well as the public the profession serves. The ADHA reminds all dental hygiene professionals that ADHA policy formally “advocates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines for preventing the transmission of infectious diseases.” (Patient Care Services 9-96) According to the CDC, the infectious disease Ebola “is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. There are five identified Ebola virus species, four of which are known to cause disease in humans.” The CDC has provided hospitals with a detailed checklist for Ebola preparedness. You can access that information by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/hospital-checklist-ebola-preparedness.pdf. A list of resources can be found on the final page of this document, and are also listed at the end of this ADHA statement for your use. While it is important to follow CDC guidelines, the ADHA reminds dental hygienists and other health professionals of the following: • •
A person infected with Ebola is not considered contagious until symptoms appear. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, if a patient exhibits symptoms in which a viral infection may be suspected, dental hygienists are advised to take the patient’s medical history, including a travel history.
•
Any person within 21 days of returning from the West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea may be at risk of having come in contact with individuals infected with Ebola, yet be asymptomatic. If this is the case, dental hygienists are advised to delay the dental care of the patient until 21 days have elapsed from their trip. If care for a serious oral health condition, dental infection or pain is needed, care can be provided following consultation with the patient’s physician and utilizing standard precautions and physical barriers to protect the care provider.
While infection is typically marked by the patient having an elevated temperature (fever),the signs and symptoms of Ebola are similar to some other infections. According to the CDC, the most common signs and symptoms of Ebola infection are: • • • • • • • •
fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F) severe headache muscle pain weakness vomiting diarrhea abdominal (stomach) pain unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)
Symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is eight to 10 days. It is advised not to treat dental patients if they have these Ebola signs and symptoms. If a patient is feeling feverish and their travel history indicates they may be at risk for contracting the disease, those in contact with the patient should: • • •
• •
•
Immediately protect themselves by using standard precautions with physical barriers (gowns, masks, face protection, and gloves). Immediately call 911 on behalf of the patient. Practice proper infection control and sterilization measures. The CDC has a manual on this topic, “Infection Control for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers in the African Health Care Setting,” that provides further information. Isolate patients with Ebola from other patients. Notify appropriate state or local health department authorities. Inform them if you have had direct contact with the blood or body fluids, such as but not limited to, feces, saliva, urine, vomit, and semen of a person who is sick with Ebola. Ask the health department to provide you with the most up-to-date guidance on removing and disposing of potentially contaminated materials and equipment, including the physical barriers.
As a reminder, Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose or mouth) with: • • •
the blood or body fluids (including, but not limited, to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola objects (such as needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus infected animals
According to the CDC, Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, by food. However, in Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats. There is no evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only mammals (for example, humans, bats, monkeys and apes) have shown the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus. More information can be found on the CDC’s website at cdc.gov. Additional Resources The CDC has produced several resources and references to help prepare health care providers, and more resources are in development. Information and guidance may change as experts learn more about Ebola. The ADHA advises the frequently monitor of the CDC’s Ebola website and review of the CDC’s Ebola response guide checklists for: • Clinician and healthcare workers • Healthcare facility information: Healthcare Settings Stay informed - Subscribe to the following sources to receive updates about Ebola: • CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) • CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) • CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) • U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration Newsletter Below are a few of the resources most relevant to healthcare preparedness: • Ebola Virus Disease Information for Clinicians in U.S. Healthcare Settings • Case Definition for Ebola Virus Disease. This case definition should be used for screening patients and should be implemented in all health care facilities. • Safe Management of Patients with Ebola Virus Disease in U.S. Hospitals • Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients with Known or Suspected Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in U.S. Hospitals. This document provides a summary of the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). • Interim Guidance for Specimen Collection, Transport, Testing, and Submission for Patients with Suspected Infection with Ebola Virus Disease • Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals for Ebola Virus • Sequence for Removing Personal Protective Equipment (Poster) • National Guidance for Healthcare SystemPreparedness’ Capabilities, with particular emphases on Capability #6 (Information Sharing) and Capability #14 (Responder Safety and Health) • Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services Systems and 9-1-1 PSAPs. The CDC is available 24/7 for consultation by calling the CDC Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 770488-7100 or via email at
[email protected]. •
Check CDC’s Ebola website regularly for the most current information. State and local health departments with questions should contact the CDC Emergency Operations Center by calling 770-4887100 or via email at
[email protected].
About the American Dental Hygienists’ Association The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of more than 185,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. For more information about the ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit the ADHA at www.adha.org.
