Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

Symptoms

Symptoms may appear 2 to 21 days after a person is exposed to an infected, ill person or an infected animal. Infected people only become contagious after they start to feel ill. Most people will become ill within 8-10 days of exposure.

When infection occurs, symptoms usually begin suddenly. Symptoms of EVD typically include fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. Severe forms of the disease may lead to organ failure, shock, and possibly death.

Transmission

EVD can be spread through direct contact with an infected ill person or their bodily fluids, or infected animals. A person can be infected with Ebola if they have direct contact with:

• Blood or bodily fluids of an infected ill person.
• Objects (i.e., needles, bedding, etc.) contaminated with bodily fluids from an infected ill person.
• The remains or bodily fluids of a person who died from EVD.
• An infected bat, non-human primate, or possibly other animals while traveling in Central Africa.

The county health departments in each of Florida's 67 counties have regular communication and interaction with hospitals, medical providers, and laboratories to ensure that appropriate reporting and public health actions are taken. In the event that a patient suspected to have EVD is identified in Florida, the Florida Department of Health will collaborate with health care partners. Through this partnership we ensure that appropriate patient care and protocols for isolation and infection control are followed. Additionally, through this collaboration with our health care partners we ensure that EVD testing is made available when needed. If EVD infection is confirmed, the Florida Department of Health will ensure contacts are closely monitored for symptoms of illness and take appropriate actions to prevent further spread of EVD.

We Can Keep Communities Safe if Ebola Happens in Florida
(En Español)
The Florida Department of Health

Florida's Response to Emerging Infectious Disease (English)
(En Español)
The Florida Department of Health

Awareness Information for Travelers
The Florida Department of Health

Receiving Students or Staff from Areas Affected by Ebola
The Florida Department of Health

Florida Department of Health Online Newsroom

Is it Flu or Ebola?
The Center For Disease Control and Prevention

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Ebola page

Decision Algorithm to Assist with Identifying, Testing and Monitoring of Patients
The Florida Department of Health

T.E.A.C.H to Prevent Ebola Exposure
The Florida Department of Health

Emergency Department Screening Form
The Florida Department of Health

Outpatient Clinic Screening Form
The Florida Department of Health

Contact Tracing Flyer
(En Español)
The Florida Department of Health

Ebola Awareness Information for Emergency Medical Services (English) 
(En Español)
The Florida Department of Health

Health Care Actions for Ebola Flyer (English)
(En Español)
The Florida Department of Healt

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donning and Doffing Procedures - Observer: Introduction
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Guidance and Information for Health Care Workers
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Interim Hospital Infection Control Guidance
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Patient Evaluation Checklist
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Detailed Hospital Check List for Ebola Preparedness
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Specimen Collection, Packaging and Shipping
The Florida Department of Health

Specimen Shipping Check List
The Florida Department of Health