[WardFive] Ebola Message from the Director of the DC Department of Health

Message from the Director

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), or simply Ebola, is a disease of humans and other mammals caused by an ebolavirus, which first emerged in humans in 1976. The 2014 Ebola epidemic is the largest in history, affecting three countries in West Africa, particularly Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

The DC Department of Health and its partners are taking precautions to make sure the District of Columbia is well prepared to deal with any potential cases. We are proactively working with community partners as well as hospitals, clinics, laboratories and other health care providers throughout the city.  We are also in close collaboration with our federal and international partners including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the White House, Health and Human Services (HHS), Hospital Association, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Trade Groups, among others, to share best practices in order to monitor and contain the disease.

Key factors to keep in mind to better understand Ebola:

• Ebola is not naturally occurring in the United States
• There are no Ebola cases in the District of Columbia
• The District is well prepared and equipped to manage public health issues such as Ebola
• Ebola is not airborne and cannot be transmitted like a cold or the flu

We are providing educational and technical information to assist you in understanding Ebola. We are also providing links to agency partner websites to complement the information provided on the DOH site.  We encourage you to get a flu vaccine and update your immunizations to further protect yourself.

Please be assured that we are on the frontline in protecting the health and well-being of District of Columbia residents as well as those who work and play in our city.

Best regards,

Joxel Garcia, M.D., M.B.A
Director and Chief Medical Officer

Community Information

• Frequently Asked Questions About Ebola
• Myths About Ebola
• Questions and Answers About Ebola and Pets

Clinicians and Health Care Providers

• Dr. Garcia’s Letter to Healthcare Providers on Ebola Preparedness
• Healthcare Professionals' Surveillance Questionnaire
• Ebola Virus Investigation Protocol
• Evaluating Patients for Possible Ebola Virus Disease
• Ebola Virus Disease Evaluation Algorithm
• Video - Personal Protective Equipment Procedures for Suspected Ebola Patients
• Labs Message - Safe Specimen Handling
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Ebola Information