Don't panic: Ebola workers returning from Africa face strict protocols

Just as we breathe a collective sigh of relief with the news that Dallas nurse Nina Pham is Ebola-free, the frightening virus pops up in New York City.

Dr. Craig Spencer was diagnosed Thursday night, a week after returning from Guinea where he was helping treat Ebola patients on behalf of Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which responds to public health emergencies around the globe.

He began exhibiting symptoms including high fever and nausea on Thursday morning and immediately called health officials. Later that evening, he tested positive for the virus.

City health officials have taken the patient’s fiancée, who lives with him, and two friends who had close contact with him into quarantine. They will be visited daily by health care workers, who will take their temperatures and are make sure they stay restricted to one place.

Low-risk of transmission

Now the millions of residents in New York City will understandably have some sleepless nights wondering if the doctor’s movements through the city’s subways, taxis, restaurants and a bowling alley put them at any risk.

Health officials, however, are assuring the public that the risks are infinitesimally low that he transmitted the virus, since he was asymptotic when he was out and about.

The fact is that the vast majority of those infected with Ebola outside of Africa have been health care workers returning from West Africa who were tending to the sick.

MSF has nearly 700 members working on the front lines of the Ebola crisis. To date, there have been 26 Canadians stationed there, of which 10 remain. When they complete their mission, the workers are first debriefed in Europe before returning to Canada.

Thus far, only 3 international workers and 21 local staff have come down with Ebola — 13 of whom have passed away. Fortunately, no Canadian has tested positive.

Protocols in place

So what has prevented them from catching the disease? Very strict protocols coupled with decades-long experience treating Ebola, says MSF spokesperson Claudia Blume in an interview with Yahoo Canada News.

“In the unlikely event that a staff person develops Ebola-like symptoms within the 21-day period, he or she is advised to immediately contact MSF and to refrain from traveling on public transportation, and local health authorities are immediately notified,” she said.

Upon returning to Canada every MSF worker must follow the following guideline, according to Blume.

1. Closely monitor their temperature regularly.

2. Complete their malaria prophylaxis (malaria symptoms can mimic Ebola symptoms).

3. Be aware and vigilant of relevant symptoms, such as fever or sore throat.

4. Stay within four hours of a designated hospital with isolation facilities.

5. Immediately contact MSF if any relevant symptoms develop; they will coordinate immediately with public health authorities.

“As long as a returned staff member does not experience any symptoms, normal life can proceed,” said Blume.

“Family, friends, and neighbours can be assured that a returned staff person who does not present symptoms is not contagious and does not put them at risk.”