CIHs Qualified to Assist with Ebola Outbreak

LANSING, Mich. - Nov. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- This year, the largest Ebola epidemic in history occurred in multiple countries across West Africa.  In September, a person who traveled from Africa to the United States was diagnosed with the condition in Texas.  The virus then spread to several healthcare workers who provided the patient with medical care.  Others who offered medical care in West Africa have also become infected and have been treated in the United States. Just last week, The Associated Press published an article reporting that medical experts anticipate more cases to emerge in the United States before the end of the year.

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, also known as EHF, is the name of the disease caused by infection with an Ebola virus.  In past outbreaks it has had a fatality rate of up to 90%.  Individuals with EHF generally have symptoms typical of viral illnesses, including fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. The illness progression includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and impaired organ function. In some cases, rash, internal and/or external bleeding, and death may occur.

EHF is spread from person to person through direct contact with body fluids such as blood, urine, sweat, semen, breast milk, vomit and feces. The infection can be spread when body surfaces that can easily absorb blood-borne pathogens, such as open cuts, scrapes, or mucous membranes come into direct contact with infectious blood or body fluids.

“Many Certified Industrial Hygienists have special knowledge to manage the risks associated with biological hazards such as Ebola” said Tracy Parsons, CIH, Administrative Program Manager at American Board of Industrial Hygiene^®. “These CIHs are uniquely qualified to help establish comprehensive exposure control plans that include engineering controls for ventilation and decontamination; personal protective equipment that is suited and properly fitted; and, administrative techniques such as hazard communication training. These types of skills are all central components of our Certified Industrial Hygienist program.”

To learn more about the ABIH^®, Certified Industrial Hygienist^® program or to locate a CIH^® to perform industrial hygiene services, please visit www.ABIH.org, email abih@ABIH.org or call (517) 321-2638.

About the American Board of Industrial Hygiene

Since 1960, ABIH, a not-for-profit corporation, has been the world's largest, premier organization for certifying professionals in the practice of industrial hygiene. ABIH is responsible for ensuring high-quality certification including education, experience, examination, certification maintenance and ethics enforcement.  Currently, more than 6700 people are certified to use the CIH designation.