Sent to ALL NY State ESRD provider staff, NY State ESRD Stakeholders, Patient SMEs, PAC Chairs and REPs with valid e-mail addresses in CROWNWeb.

 

10/16/2014

 

Ebola resources:   Although there have been NO reported Ebola cases in New York State, the Network is providing information to the ESRD community to assist in educating their patients and staff.
  
The ESRD Network of New York is working with KCER, State, local and Federal Agencies to keep the community updated on resources to educate patients and provioders on Ebola.
  
The Network is collaborating with the New York State Department of Health, Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management, its Division of Epidemiology and its Office of Health Emergency Preparedness to host a Q&A conference call to address any questions or concerns from the community, and we ask that you submit any questions here:

  
In addition to the conference call (date/timeTBA) please see the resources listed below and the Network's Infectious Disease Information webpage for information. 
Ebola Resources:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Ebola website

CDC updated information for healthcare workers website
CDC Ebola Fact Sheet

New York State Ebola website

NYC Ebola website

What is Ebola?

Ebola virus disease is a severe, often fatal disease that affects humans and some animals (like monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). It is caused by the Ebola virus. 

Currently, there is an Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The first-ever U.S. case of Ebola was diagnosed in late September, when a patient who had traveled from West Africa to Texas became sick.

How does Ebola spread?

Ebola is spread by directly touching an infected person's skin, blood or body fluids. It is not spread through the air or simply by being near someone who is infected. People only become contagious after they begin to have symptoms, such as fever. 

Since the virus can survive on surfaces for a short time, people can be infected by touching objects (like needles or bed sheets) that contain infected blood or body fluids. 

 

During outbreaks, the disease can spread within health care settings if workers do not wear protective gear and take proper precautions.

 

IMPORTANT HIPPA/PRIVACY WARNING: 

 DO NOT E-MAIL ANY PATIENT INFORMATION (PHI OR PII) TO THE NETWORK