“Ebola virus particles” by Thomas W. Geisbert, Boston University School of Medicine – PLoS Pathogens, November 2008 direct link to the image description page doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1000225. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
There is no cure for Ebola and the only way to prevent the spread of the disease is to isolate the sick. Some West Africans in rural towns believe sending their sick to hospitals is a death sentence. This fear and panic have sent some patients into hiding, complicating efforts to stop its spread according to many news sources. As of July 14, 2014 Ebola has reached the capitals of all three countries, and the World Health Organization reported 44 new cases including 21 deaths the previous Friday. Doctors Without Borders is now showing success with many patients by treating Ebola similar to influenza. The patient is given rest, fluids and nourishment which allow the body’s immune system to fight the disease.
According to Dr. Unni Krishnan, head of disaster preparedness “there are no cases from outside Africa to date. The threat of it spreading though is very much there.” Airports are taking precautions to prevent the spread of the disease by enforcing temperature screenings for departing passengers. Any passengers showing fever will be detained for further evaluation.
Fever screening plays a significant role in halting the spread of Ebola and isolating fevered individuals. Not only should airports screen for fever, but hospitals, schools and other high traffic public areas should implement fever screening programs. WelloStation can screen for fever with a 0.10˚C/0.18˚F medical grade accuracy in only 3 seconds with no physical contact to the subject. There are no routes to transmit any infections further. WelloStation is portable and accessible anywhere allowing health officials, doctors and nurses and other health conscious businesses to effectively screen for fever.