Ebola is a virus to respect, not fear, and its spread can be fairly easily contained if proper precautions are taken.
That's Dr. Ann Likos' message to representatives of Okaloosa County organizations most likely to come into contact with the disease, should it find its way here.
The “only real way” to get Ebola is from bodily contact, Likos recently told emergency workers, hospital administrators and representatives from Hurlburt and Eglin Air Force Base. It can be passed by coming into contact with vomit, diarrhea and sweat from an infected source, Likos, director of the state Department of Health’s Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, said.
“Distancing” is the simple best way to protect yourself.
Only one case of Ebola has been confirmed in the United States and of the 114 who came into contact with that person in Texas “most of them are at no risk," Likos said.
A person sick with Ebola will display flu-like symptoms of high fever, headache, nausea and upset stomach.
Importantly though, the victim would also have had have visited the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the past 21 days, health officials said.
If those two thresholds are met, the health department should be immediately contacted.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Local officials briefed on Ebola virus