Majority of Americans believe Ebola spreads through air: poll

[Playinghardball]

(Reuters) - A majority of Americans believe the Ebola virus can be spread by sneezing or coughing and more than a third fear that they or someone in their immediate family may contract the deadly disease in the next year, according to a Harvard University poll.

Some 85 percent of people who responded to the Harvard School of Public Health/SSRS poll said they thought the disease spread through sneezing or coughing, despite the fact that the World Health Organization regards that type of transmission as unlikely.

The spread of the disease to nurses in Dallas who treated the first Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States likely raised Americans' concerns about how the virus is transmitted, said Gillian SteelFisher, a Harvard researcher.

"The fact that Ebola has spread in this context raises questions for people," SteelFisher said in an interview. "There is a lot of uncertainty about how Ebola is being spread in the public and they are basically saying they believe it is likely to be spread in any way that seems logical to them, without knowing the mechanics of contagion."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/15/us-health-ebola-usa-poll-idUSKCN0I42JA20141015

[brentspeak]

1. They might not be wrong. n/t

[morningfog]

4. Uh, they are wrong.

[brentspeak]

8. All we have is the CDC's word

and they have been wrong nearly every step of the way on this issue.

[Fred Sanders]

13. We have the word of every virologist and epidemiologist on the planet....you go with the media

talking heads if you wish. And they have not been wrong every step of the way...name one step other than not having the funding to stop Ebola in Africa which should have been done years ago and which they would have done.

Please stop with the simpleton fear.

[brentspeak]

19. Doctor: Ebola Might Be Transmitted In Air Via “Droplets”

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2014/10/15/doctor-ebola-might-be-transmitted-by-air/

Doctor: Ebola Might Be Transmitted In Air Via “Droplets”
October 15, 2014 1:11 PM

DALLAS (KRLD) — The executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons says that despite what the CDC is saying, Ebola might be transmitted by breathing.

“What we’re suggesting is that it is very dangerous to assume that one cannot ever acquire Ebola from an aerosol or from breathing,” said Dr. Jane Orient.

Two healthcare workers at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas have now been infected with the disease, despite insisting that protocol was followed. Dr. Orient won’t rule out an airborne infection.

Dr. Orient says that when an aerosol dries up, droplet nuclei remain suspended in the air for a long time. A recent research study suggests that Ebola could remain infectious in an aerosol for more than an hour.

(snip)

Dr. Orient’s findings directly contradict what the CDC has been saying. They also contradict statments made by President Barack Obama.

You might want to contact Dr. Orient and let her know what a "simpleton" she is.

[Fred Sanders]

20. Not airborne, you are being misled, physical objects flying into your mouth are not airborne.....

Suspended in the air momentarily attached to other discharged particlesis not airborne. The microbes need to be suspended in the air, not attached to other particles of vomit or excrement. Ebola is a "contact" disease, so the science tells me, and the doctors quoted say nothing different, it is just being misinterpreted by some.

Airborne diseases are caused by pathogenic microbes small enough to be discharged from an infected person via coughing, sneezing, laughing and close personal contact or aerosolization of the microbe. The discharged microbes remain suspended in the air on dust particles, respiratory and water droplets.

Here you go:

http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/

Transmission of airborne diseases can be greatly reduced by practicing social and respiratory etiquette. Staying home when ill, keeping close contact with an ill person to a minimum, allowing a few feet distance from others while ill, and wearing a mask, covering coughs and sneezes with elbow or tissue can greatly reduce transmission. Good hand washing can decrease spread of germ-containing droplets that could be picked up on hands from surfaces or hand contact with secretions. Environmental controls and engineering alternatives help reduce transmission of water droplet aerosolized pathogens.

Contact Diseases

Contact Diseases are transmitted when an infected person has direct bodily contact with an uninfected person and the microbe is passed from one to the other. Contact diseases can also be spread by indirect contact with an infected person’s environment or personal items. The presence of wound drainage or other discharges from the body suggest an increased potential for risk of transmission and environmental contamination. Precautions that create a barrier and procedures that decrease or eliminate the microbe in the environment or on personal belongings, form the basis of interrupting transmission of direct contact diseases.

[OnyxCollie]

23. Contradicting the "experts" on DU,

I learned from this guy that ebola can be spread through coughing and sneezing.

Dr. Terry O'Sullivan
Title: Director; Assistant Professor, University of Akron
Associate Director, Center for Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Terry O'Sullivan is Assistant Professor at the University of Akron. Until September 2008, he was a researcher for 4 years at the University of Southern California’s Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE), a Department of Homeland Security Academic Center of Excellence. Both his U. Akron and USC research have dealt with homeland security broadly, and global public health security policy, particularly the risk and dynamics of catastrophic infectious diseases threats from naturally occurring infectious disease outbreaks such as influenza and SARS, and from biological terrorism. Specific areas of expertise include public health disaster and emergency medical planning and response policy for threats such as H5N1 avian influenza; biological terrorism; threats to the civil aviation (e.g., from MANPADS and other weapons) and transportation sectors; and disasters in general (natural or man-made).

Recent written work includes a forthcoming book chapter, “Critical Biosecurity Infrastructure Protection Systems, Comparative Disaster Risk Analysis and International Relations,” in Global Critical Infrastructure Protection and Security, edited by Stefan Brem and Peter Forster (book currently in editing process for publication in 2009); a chapter, “The ‘Forgotten’ Dimensions of Homeland Security: Natural Disasters, Biological Terrorism, and Comparative Catastrophic Risk,” in Paul Viotti et al. editors, Homeland Security: The Strategic Quest (Taylor and Francis); a CREATE report, “External Terrorist Threats to Civilian Airliners: A Summary Risk Analysis of MANPADS, Other Ballistic Weapons Risks, Future Threats, and Possible Countermeasures Policies”; a chapter, “Fear in a Handful of Dust: Risks and Responses to Global Bioterrorism,” in The McGraw-Hill Homeland Security Handbook; an article coauthored with CREATE director Detlof von Winterfeldt in Decision Analysis, entitled, “A Decision Analysis Tool to Evaluate the Cost Effectiveness of MANPADS Countermeasures”; and a CREATE and International Studies Association Annual Conference paper on the risk variables for use of smallpox/variola virus as a bioterrorism agent.

[Avalux]

22. I know a thing or two about viruses. Ebola is not transmitted via aerosolized droplets.

It's disturbing to me that so many people believe that it is, but not surprising. The media is reporting misinformation and drumming up hysteria. They suck.

[snooper2]

28. They might not be strong. n/t

[underpants]

2. Corporate media wins

Wow that is some kind of stooooipid

[GusBob]

3. we are days away from mass hysteria

Next week would be a good time to buy plane tickets

[geardaddy]

5. And Bill Gates owns the patent for Ebola.

I heard one nutjob claim that one.

[Johonny]

14. Apple has the Ibola

[geardaddy]

17. ...

[bullwinkle428]

6. This is "Christmas morning" for every Republican candidate this election cycle.

[deutsey]

27. Which is ironic since the Republics have led the charge

in gutting public health for the past few decades.

Fortunately for them, most Americans seem to be oblivious to that fact.

[NV Whino]

7. The majority of Americans don't understand the term "airborne."

[Fred Sanders]

12. Yes, agreed...must think it is a military thing...polling Americans on science or geography is a

waste of time.

But on the other hand, mission accomplished for the ratings mad media.

[upaloopa]

9. We didn't need this poll all we have to do is read

the last few day's worth of DU op's to get the same result.

[uppityperson]

10. I am discussing this on facebook right now. I greatly appreciate DUers reporting and sharing links

" It is airborne and weve allowed to many rag heads in our Country...they are here to disrupt our society...just because they cant be stable in their own...to many Shunka Winktes...cross breading is out of hand...it is here..they have once again staged an attack on us..."

[Arkana]

15. What is "cross-breading"?

Is that like when you mix Italian bread crumbs with Panko bread crumbs? Sounds tasty.

[uppityperson]

21. I ignored much of that, though was tempted to do du snark.

They are concerned with terrerists hurting us and tried taking me to task for not being military. Yup, only a nurse, 40 years, etc etc etc. My desire was to pass on accurate info re ebola, not get into a fight with a friend's friend.

[Katashi_itto]

11. We should be so lucky.

[OnyxCollie]

16. "Unlikely"

Not impossible or improbable.

Unlikely, as in a lesser chance of happening than not happening.

So, 49%.

Think about that the next time you walk through the wake of someone's sneeze.

[Bluenorthwest]

25. "unlikely" is an adjective meaning improbable. Improbable is an ajdective meaing 'not likely'.

Example:
un·like·ly:
not likely to happen, be done, or be true; improbable

[OnyxCollie]

35. When you puff up your chest with pride at the thought of correcting me,

make sure no one sneezes.

[econoclast]

18. Travel thru the air vs airborne

Ebola may travel short distances (3ft?) as aerosol droplets. CDC's own treatment protocols warn against treatments that may result in creation of aerosols.

However,

Ebola, unlike the flu for example, is not airborne. Ie. it does not just waft on the breeze.

Subtle but important distinction.

[Avalux]

24. The words Ebola and aerosol don't go together.

Scientists have been able to induce aerosolization in the lab, but the viral particles are too large and don't hold up well.

Large droplets that travel a few feet via vomit, cough, possible. Aerosolized particles that float around and are breathed in by others, lodge in the lungs where they expand, not possible.

Your post is somewhat correct, but I'd suggest not using the term "aerosol droplets".

[econoclast]

29. CDC beggs to differ

From CDC treatment protocols...

"Standard, contact, and droplet precautions are recommended for management of hospitalized patients with known or suspected Ebola virus ..... In this guidance healthcare personnel (HCP) refers all persons, paid and unpaid, working in healthcare settings who have the potential for exposure to patients and/or to infectious materials, including body substances, contaminated medical supplies and equipment, contaminated environmental surfaces, or aerosols generated during certain medical procedures. "

They seem to think that aerosol and droplet and Ebola all go together.

[Avalux]

32. If the patient is using a nebulizer, wouldn't want to breathe in the exhaust.

That's what they're talking about.

[Fred Sanders]

26. Thank you, folks do not understand the science, or refuse to. It is not that complex.

[econoclast]

33. And from the US Army Infectious Didease folks

USAMRIID - "Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever with case fatality rates as high as 80 percent in humans. The virus, which is infectious by aerosol (although more commonly spread through blood and bodily fluids of infected patients), is of concern both as a global health threat and a potential agent of biological warfare or terrorism. Currently there are no available vaccines or therapies. "

[Fred Sanders]

38. The hot tip was from World Nut Daily.....enoug said, but there is also this:

On page 117 of the handbook, in a chapter discussing “Viral Hemorrhagic Fever” (VHF), a category of viruses that includes Ebola, USAMRID says: “In several instances, secondary infections among contacts and medical personnel without direct body fluid exposure have been documented. These instances have prompted concern of a rare phenomenon of aerosol transmission of infection.”

Page 117 continues to specify: “Therefore, when VHF is suspected, additional infection control measures are indicated.”

"Prompted concern", but not a scientific finding, far from it....and, please, no more fear mongering or WND sources, your no link info. is worthless.

[econoclast]

42. Apparently YOU read World Net Daily

If you found That WND tidbit.

The quote I referenced is DIRECTLY from USAMRIID

http://www.usamriid.army.mil/press_releases/warfield_press_release.pdf

[Fred Sanders]

43. Apparently you forget about The Google that has WND responsible for your passed on tripe.

[Vinca]

30. I know I would not want an ebola patient to sneeze around me.

It may not be "airborne," but it can travel from a nostril and land on another person. That is what is confusing people.

[kestrel91316]

31. "Through air" is vague and meaningless.

Ebola virus is spread via droplets and via contact.

It is NOT spread via aerosol.

Sneezing and coughing can produce droplets but these are relatively heavy and do NO float about on air currents. Ebola patients do not have much virus in their saliva or respiratory secretions until late in the disease when they are quite ill.

So the likelihood of a minimally symptomatic, non-hospitalized victim spewing infectious droplets that would then make it into another person and have enough virus to infect that person is very small. Not zero, mind you, but very small.

Direct contact with a person's bodily fluids are the normal route of transmission. Blood DROPLETS, especially late in disease, are highly infectious. Bodily fluids do include urine, feces, semen, vaginal fluid, blood of course, tears, sweat, saliva, and respiratory secretions. The more sick, the more virus in bodily fluids.

Ebola is not and never has been spread by AEROSOL. Aerosols float about on air currents and are microscopic. Ebola is too easily killed by drying to form infectious aerosols, and it is also apparently too large.

Droplet and contact protection WILL protect against the spread of Ebola. WHEN USED PROPERLY. That means gowns, gloves, masks.
It does NOT mean respirators.

People need to stop with the panic.

[econoclast]

34. You should alert USAMRIID that they are in error

From USAMRIID..."Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever with case fatality rates as high as 80 percent in humans. The virus, which is infectious by aerosol (although more commonly spread through blood and bodily fluids of infected patients), is of concern both as a global health threat and a potential agent of biological warfare or terrorism. Currently there are no available vaccines or therapies. "

[kestrel91316]

37. Aerosol transmission has never been reported or documented with Ebola Zaire.

I don't have an explanation for why USAMRIID's website is saying that. It's not correct.

It is telling that whatever paid WRITER wrote that didn't use correct terminology The types of spread in question are: aerosol, droplet, and contact. Those are differentiated from the infectious MATERIAL, which includes all bodily fluids.

Epidemiologists would know right away if Ebola were spread by aerosol since it would be spreading like wildfire right now in the US among anyone who got within 50 feet of an Ebola victim. There isn't the slightest bit of EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVIDENCE that that is happening or has ever happened in humans. We don't count the Ebola Reston monkey spread OR the more recent pig-monkey respiratory spread of one of the strains.

Anybody can type words. And anybody can read words on the internet and cut and paste them.

We professionals know how to understand the science behind the words.

[Fred Sanders]

39. Your source and information are in deep error...your fear is overcoming your senses.

[econoclast]

36. With all due respect

You seem like a knowledgeable person. And you might indeed be a highly trained professional. But i dont know that. If I have to choose between information from 'some unknown person on the internet' and USAMRIID .... I'm going with USAMRIID.

[Fred Sanders]

40. You are going with World Net Daily and partial quote.

[kestrel91316]

41. I am a veterinarian who also has a BS in Microbiology. I have TAUGHT microbiology at the graduate

level. I have a professional interest in veterinary public health dating back over 25 years, and have been in private practice for 32 years.

So I know a thing or two about virology and epidemiology.

I also know that there is not a single published, peer-reviewed paper showing the slightest evidence of AEROSOL spread of Ebola in humans. I can't explain why USAMRIID'S website contains that statement. It's not true. It almost certainly was not written by an epidemiologist.

That doesn't mean it can't spread via fine airborne droplets across short distances, but that is NOT the same as "aerosol spread" or an "aerosol". Those terms have very specific meanings in epidemiology. And terms get so misused in the media and even by professionals who should know better (like Frieden), which doesn't help.

When people catch it merely by being in the same room or airplane as a victim like with colds and flu, THEN you'll see me scared. Not until then. Right now we know full well how to avoid spreading it: gloves, masks, eye protection, impermeable head and body coverings, and impeccable attention to hygiene. If people want to be extra cautious, N-95 respiratory protection is a good idea.

[Fred Sanders]

44. Thank you. I love science as much as I hate misinformation about science. Folks not understanding

the terminology of science and confusing it with everyday definitions is only the beginning of the problem with the science commoners fears.

[econoclast]

45. From a Usamriid veteranarian

And Ebola reaearcher:
Major Nancy Jaax. Veterinerian US Army. Ebola researcher USAMRIID

USAMRIID did drug treatment tests on monkeys infected with Ebola Zaire. The tests were a failure. No drug they tried worked. All the monkeys infected with Ebola died. But then something really surprising happened ... The control group of uninfected monkeys also broke with Ebola and died. They had been kept in separate cages across the room from and had no direct contact with the infected monkeys. To quote Maj. Jaax:

“Monkeys spit and throw stuff. And when the caretakers wash the cages down with water hoses, that can create an aerosol of droplets. It probably traveled through the air in aerosolized secretions. That was when I knew that Ebola can travel through the air.”

I assume she knows what she's talking about.

Maybe we are arguing over the definition of 'aerosol'. My understanding is that it is a mist of tiny droplets but still on ballistic trajectories .... Not something that would travel through a building's HVAC system for example.