• The deadly Ebola virus is the biggest medical story of 2014 and for good reason. As of Oct. 24, West Africa had seen nearly 10,000 cases and 4,868 deaths in five countries. Spain and the United States have also seen cases of the virus. Click through to follow how the virus arrived on American soil. Photo: Kallista Images, Getty Images / Kallista Images
  • The deadly Ebola virus is the biggest medical story of 2014 and for good reason. As of Oct. 24, West Africa had seen nearly 10,000 cases and 4,868 deaths in five countries. Spain and the United States have also seen cases of the virus. Click through to follow how the virus arrived on American soil.
  • July 25, 2014Second American missionary diagnosed with EbolaNancy Writebol, a doctor working for SIM, was infected after working in Monrovia, Liberia. Writebol was also flown back to the U.S. to be treated at the same hospital as her colleague Kent Brantly. Both her and Brantly receive an experimental treatment called ZMAPP to fight off Ebola.
  • July 31, 2014Medical missionary becomes first known American to get Ebola in Africa in 2014Dr. Kent Brantly, an aid worker for Samaritan's Purse comes down with Ebola while working in Monrovia, Liberia. He is flown on Aug. 2 to Atlanta to be treated at Emory University Hospital. He is discharged at a news conference on Aug. 21.
  • Sept. 9, 2014Emory University Hospital receives another Ebola patientAn unnamed American who had been working for the World Health Organization in Sierra Leone arrives at the same hospital that treated Writebol and Brantly. His condition has not been updated.
  • Oct. 2, 2014Freelance American cameraman diagnosed with Ebola in LiberiaAshoka Mukpo was working in Liberia as a video journalist for media outlets such as NBC News and Vice when he was diagnosed with the virus. He returned to the U.S. on Oct. 6, received a blood transfusion from Brantly and recovered in the Nebraska Medical Center that Sacra was treated at. Tests for the Ebola virus came back negative on Oct. 21 and he was released soon after.
  • Oct. 15, 2014Second nurse caring for Thomas Eric Duncan contracts EbolaAmber Vinson, a nurse who provided care for the first Ebola patient in Dallas comes down with the virus. She was transferred to Emory Hospital in Atlanta where other Ebola patients Brantly and Writebol were successfully cared for. Her family announced Vinson was free of the Ebola virus on Oct. 23 and will be released soon.
  • Oct. 24, 2014Dallas nurse, first U.S. patient, recoversNina Pham, a nurse who worked as part of the staff treating the first American Ebola patient, Thomas Duncan, tests positive Oct. 12 and becomes the first contracted case in the U.S. She received a plasma transfusion from Dr. Brantly. She was moved to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Maryland on Oct. 16 and was released on Oct. 24.
  • President Barack Obama hugs Ebola survivor Nina Pham in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, in Washington. Pham, the first nurse diagnosed with Ebola after treating an infected man at a Dallas hospital is free of the virus. The 26-year-old Pham arrived last week at the NIH Clinical Center. She had been flown there from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. Pham's mother Diana, center, and sister Cathy watch.
  • What is Ebola Virus Disease? Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a very serious disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains.
  • How is Ebola transmitted? Ebola viruses are transmitted through direct contact with blood or body fluids. Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, food. That means that body fluids (blood, saliva, mucus, vomit, urine, feces or semen) from an infected person (alive or dead) have touched someone’s eyes, nose, or mouth or an open cut, wound, or abrasion. Insects do not transmit Ebola.
  • Can Ebola spread by coughing or sneezing? Ebola is not a respiratory illness like many flu or measles viruses that can be transmitted by air particles after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Ebola is only transmitted by direct contact with body fluids of a person who has active symptoms of Ebola disease. Coughing and sneezing are not common symptoms of Ebola. However, if a patient with Ebola coughs or sneezes on someone, and saliva or mucus come into contact with that person’s eyes, nose or mouth, these fluids may transmit the disease.
  • Has WCHN had an Ebola patient? No, we have not had any confirmed or suspected cases of Ebola in any of our Network hospitals.
  • Is the network prepared for Ebola? Yes. We began planning and preparing for Ebola in August. Staff awareness and education have been ongoing and more intensive training for front-line staff is underway. We are very confident in our organization’s ability to screen, detect and isolate Ebola patients.
  • How is WCHN protecting its patients, visitors, staff and community from Ebola? Safety is a top priority. WCHN has a comprehensive infection control process and our staff is expertly-trained and prepared to take care of patients with a variety of infectious diseases, including Ebola. We are encouraging prevention practices and following all federal guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) protocols, including immediately isolating the patient and taking proper infection control precautions to avoid exposure to patients, visitors and staff.
  • How are facts about Ebola being communicated to staff? Facts about the Ebola virus are being disseminated to staff through a variety of communication channels and training sessions. Email is a primary distribution channel for employees and physicians. Additional channels include the employee portal, Managers’ Forums, Employee Town Halls, and traditional mail.
  • What signage is in place to educate the public? Digital signage, along with a series of posters and fliers have been created and distributed throughout the hospitals and offsite locations to raise general awareness and screen for potential risks. Signage advises patients and visitors who have traveled to West Africa over the past 21 days to notify hospital staff. Signage is available in Spanish, Greek and Portuguese, reflective of our diverse communities. Additionally, the public can visit hospital websites and social media sites for regular updates.
  • How are we screening patients? Physicians and health care providers throughout the hospitals and network are following CDC guidelines and protocols for screening patients at all points of entry. Staff is trained on what to do immediately if a person answers “yes” to any of the screening questions.
  • What training is planned for staff? Extensive preparations and training are underway for those with the greatest likelihood of interacting with potentially infected patients. These “super users” are training on and observing the donning and removing of personal protection equipment to ensure full body coverage, as well as proper methods for disposing and destroying used materials. Additional training is planned for front-line clinical staff and hospital wide staff. Training requirements and level of detail will vary based on individual roles in delivering patient care. Training schedules will be shared over the next few days. Training will be offered across the network.
  • Who is leading the training sessions? Highly qualified hospital staff members are leading the training sessions. These staff members have been specially trained by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) on how to handle these situations.
  • What precautions does the CDC require? To protect hospital patients, visitors and staff, we are following the following CDC precautions: • Isolating patients with Ebola or Ebola-like symptoms from other patients and non-essential staff. • Wearing protective clothing, including masks, gloves, gowns, and eye protection. • Practicing proper infection control and sterilization measures. • Notifying local and state health officials if anyone has direct contact with the blood or body fluids, such as but not limited to, feces, saliva, urine, vomit, and semen of a person who is sick with Ebola.
  • How will the hospital isolate patients who may have been exposed to Ebola? We follow strict CDC protocols relative to isolation of an exposed patient for Ebola or any infectious disease. Patients and visitors are kept at a safe distance from isolation areas and standard precautions are in place. These areas are only accessible by healthcare staff assigned to the medical care of the patient involved. Staff caring for patients with infectious diseases like Ebola wear protective gear inclusive of masks, face shields, gloves, protective gowns, suits, and other equipment. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available for staff who need it.
  • Should patients still keep their scheduled appointments at WCHN hospitals? Yes. We have no confirmed or suspected cases of Ebola. We are confident that our hospitals are safe for patients, visitors and staff. We want to reassure you that your safety remains our top priority and that all precautions are in place and tested for this and other public health concerns.
  • Should patients still keep their scheduled appointments at WCHN hospitals? Yes. We have no confirmed or suspected cases of Ebola. We are confident that our hospitals are safe for patients, visitors and staff. We want to reassure you that your safety remains our top priority and that all precautions are in place and tested for this and other public health concerns.
  • Will the hospital release information should a suspected case of Ebola come forward? Hospital communications will be managed responsibly, adhering to all state and federal guidelines surrounding patient privacy and infection control, along with input and guidance from the CDC and DPH.
  • How will the hospital monitor staff health in the event the hospital receives a patient or suspected case? As with any transmissible disease, employee health will be monitored by Infectious Disease, Infection Control and Employee Health.
  • President Barack Obama meets with Ebola survivor Nina Pham in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Pham, the first nurse diagnosed with Ebola after treating an infected man at a Dallas hospital is free of the virus. The 26-year-old Pham arrived last week at the NIH Clinical Center. She had been flown there from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
  • President Barack Obama meets with Ebola survivor Nina Pham in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Pham, the first nurse diagnosed with Ebola after treating an infected man at a Dallas hospital is free of the virus. The 26-year-old Pham arrived last week at the NIH Clinical Center. She had been flown there from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
  • Patient Nina Pham is hugged by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, outside of National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Pham, the first nurse diagnosed with Ebola after treating an infected man at a Dallas hospital is free of the virus. The 26-year-old Pham arrived last week at the NIH Clinical Center. She had been flown there from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
  • Patient Nina Pham speaks outside of National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Pham, the first nurse diagnosed with Ebola after treating an infected man at a Dallas hospital is free of the virus. The 26-year-old Pham arrived last week at the NIH Clinical Center. She had been flown there from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
  • Patient Nina Pham is hugged by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases outside of National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Pham, the first nurse diagnosed with Ebola after treating an infected man at a Dallas hospital is free of the virus. The 26-year-old Pham arrived last week at the NIH Clinical Center. She had been flown there from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
  • Patient Nina Pham, center, with her mother Diana Berry, right, and sister Cathy Pham, left, smiles as members of the NIH staff outside applaud during a news conference at NIH in Bethesda, Md., Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Pham, the first nurse diagnosed with Ebola after treating an infected man at a Dallas hospital is free of the virus. The 26-year-old Pham arrived last week at the NIH Clinical Center. She had been flown there from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.

Photo: Kallista Images, Getty Images
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The deadly Ebola virus is the biggest medical story of 2014 and for good reason. As of Oct. 24, West Africa had seen nearly 10,000 cases and 4,868 deaths in five countries. Spain and the United States have also seen cases of the virus.

Click through to follow how the virus arrived on American soil. 

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Oct. 2, 2014
Freelance American cameraman diagnosed with Ebola in Liberia

Ashoka Mukpo was working in Liberia as a video journalist for media outlets such as NBC News and Vice when he was diagnosed with the virus. He returned to the U.S. on Oct. 6, received a blood transfusion from Brantly and recovered in the Nebraska Medical Center that Sacra was treated at. Tests for the Ebola virus came back negative on Oct. 21 and he was released soon after.

Dallas nurse who contracted Ebola cured, walks out of hospital
Reuters
BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — A nurse who caught Ebola while caring for a Dallas patient who died of the disease walked out of a Washington-area hospital virus-free Friday and into open arms.
Nina Pham got a hug from President Barack Obama in the Oval Office at the White House. Outside the hospital where she has been since last week, she got hugs from one of the doctors who oversaw her care.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest called the meeting with Obama "an opportunity for the president to thank her for her service." But the close contact between the president and the former patient also came as officials in New York tried to calm fears after a doctor was diagnosed with Ebola in that city.
Pham said she felt "fortunate and blessed to be standing here today," as she left the National Institutes of Health's Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where she had been since she arrived Oct. 16 from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
Pham thanked her health care teams in Dallas and at the NIH and singled out fellow Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly, who recovered after becoming infected in Liberia, for donating plasma containing Ebola-fighting antibodies as part of her care.
"Although I no longer have Ebola, I know it may be a while before I have my strength back," Pham said at a news conference.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease chief at the NIH and the doctor who hugged her, told reporters that five consecutive tests showed no virus left in her blood. Five tests is way beyond the norm, he stressed, but his team did extra testing because the NIH is a research hospital.
"She is cured of Ebola, let's get that clear," Fauci said.
Pham stood throughout the approximately 20-minute press conference and was joined by her mother and sister. She read from a prepared statement and took no questions, but she called her experience "very stressful and challenging for me and for my family."
"I ask for my privacy and for my family's privacy to be respected as I return to Texas and try to get back to a normal life and reunite with my dog Bentley," she said, drawing laughter with the mention of her 1-year-old King Charles spaniel. Bentley has been in quarantine since Pham's diagnosis but has tested negative for the virus.
Pham is one of two nurses in Dallas who became infected with Ebola while treating Thomas Eric Duncan, who traveled to the United States from Liberia and died of the virus Oct. 8. The second nurse, Amber Vinson, is being treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, which on Friday issued a statement saying she "is making good progress" and that tests no longer detect virus in her blood.
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Dallas nurse receives thanks, hug from Obama