CLEVELAND, OH – The City of Cleveland is taking strong measures to educate the public about how Ebola is contracted and what preventive measures people can take to help prevent the spread of infectious disease in the wake of the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) announcement that a Dallas, Texas patient was on a flight that originated in Cleveland earlier this week. In an abundance of caution, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is also taking steps, above and beyond CDC guidance, to disinfect key areas of the airport. “Preparedness and knowledge are power in public health situations like we are seeing with Ebola,” said Toinette Parrilla, Director of Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH). “I encourage anyone with concerns that they may have been exposed to Ebola as a result of this incident to contact the CDC at 1-800-CDC-info.
To be proactive and help prevent the transmission of Ebola in Cleveland, CDPH has an operational plan in place and will focus on educating the public and city employees, as well as coordinating with the CDC, city departments and divisions and health agencies to be prepared if we have any cases diagnosed in Cleveland. Cleveland EMS has also added Ebola-specific questions to their screening of incoming calls for medical assistance. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has implemented its Infectious Disease Protocol; all employees have been provided personal protection equipment; and key areas of the airport are being disinfected. These efforts at the Airport exceed CDC guidelines at this time.
To contract Ebola, people must have direct contact with the blood and bodily fluidsof an Ebola patient. Symptoms to look for include fevers higher than 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, severe headaches and severe abdominal pain. For more information, visit the CDC’s web page for Ebola at http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/.
Again, the CDC is asking all 132 passengers who were on Frontier flight 1143 departing Cleveland and flying into Dallas-Fort Worth to contact their hotline at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). Under the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Cleveland Department of Public Health wants you to be aware of the following regarding Ebola:
Sign and Symptoms of Ebola. If you have any of these symptoms stay
in your home and contact your doctor.
1. Fever higher than 101.5 F
2. Severe Headache
3. Muscle Pain
4. Weakness
5. Diarrhea
6. Vomiting
7. Abdominal Pain
8. Unexplained Bleeding or Bruising
Practice Personal Hygiene
1. Wash your hands frequently.
2. Cover your coughs and sneezes.
3. If you are sick, stay home.
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