via www.CDC.gov by way of The Guardian of Public Health

To the Editor: Providing medical care for Ebola virus–infected patients entails physical and psychological stress, extended shift times, and risk for infection. In addition, the wearing of personal protective equipment impairs communication and performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Lessons learned from outbreaks of other infectious diseases indicate that such challenging treatment environments require the monitoring of health care professionals for psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, fatigue, and social isolation) to prevent personal exhaustion and reduced job performance (1).

via www.Michigan.gov by way of The Guardian of Public Health

Submitted by Dr. Janice Matthews‐Greer, MDCH, Bureau of Laboratory Virology Section Manager 

Laboratory testing of potential Ebola patients remains a moving target.  As new information comes out, risk assessments change, personal protective equipment (PPE) is altered and media hype escalates.  Nonetheless, a few things are definitive:  1) Ebola virus does not spread through the air.  Nor is it transmitted through casual contact.  2) Ebola is spread by direct contact with fluids from a patient who is symptomatic with disease.  A list of potentially infectious and/or Ebola RNA‐positive fluids includes blood, feces, vomit, saliva, mucus, tears, breast milk, urine, semen, vaginal secretions and sweat.  If these fluids from an ill individual come in contact with a healthy person’s broken skin, eyes, nose or mouth, transmission may occur.  Bodily fluids from an infected corpse are extremely infectious.  3) An infected patient is not contagious unless he or she is exhibiting symptoms.  Added to this Trinity is one more certainty – the mere word (Ebola) strikes fear in the hearts of many, including healthcare workers (HCW).

From NPR's Goats and Soda Blog, by way of The Guardian of Public Health

The World Health Organization approved the first quick test for Ebola Friday. The test gives results in about 15 minutes, instead of hours. So people infected can get treatment and be quarantined more quickly.