Is a family member or loved one going to West Africa to work as an Ebola responder? Learn more about information and resources that can assist both you and your loved one during his or her deployment.
Before Deployment
Remind your family member to pack travel medications, documents, and equipment
Develop a plan for when your family member is away (paying bills, child care, elder care, pet care)
Have a communication plan
Get contact information in advance
Create a plan for regular communication (email, text, or call every other day)
Be prepared for times when your family member will be out of reach
If you haven’t heard from your family member and are concerned, contact the organization your family works for
Talk about feelings of anxiety, excitement, apprehension–yours or your family member’s
Discuss updating important personal documents (wills, powers-of-attorney)
During Deployment
While your family member is away
Your family member may experience
12-18 hour work days in areas that may not have power, internet, or cell phone service
Fatigue, depression, feelings of failure (not able to “do enough”)
Sickness (traveler’s diarrhea, minor infections, colds, sore throat)
Work in very difficult conditions, especially out in the field and rural areas
Work with local colleagues who are dealing with Ebola-related deaths of family members and other loved ones
How you can help
Encourage healthy behaviors. Remind your family member to take care of him/herself by
Getting enough rest and eating properly
Speaking with their in-country assigned buddy or other team members
Taking their anti-malaria pills
Using personal infection prevention and avoiding situations that cause them to feel uncomfortable or unsafe
After Deployment
When your family member returns
Your family member will
Receive a medical screening/health evaluation at the airport of entry
Be required to keep a health log and take their temperature twice a day for 21 days
Be contacted by the state or local health department to report temperature and health status daily for 21 days
Be able to return to work as long as they do not have a fever or other signs of illness
Possibly experience fatigue, depression, feelings of failure (not able to “do enough”)
Be sleep-deprived and have jet lag
How you can help
Treat your family member just as you did before they deployed. As long as your loved one does not have a fever and is not showing signs of sickness, you or your family are not at risk for infection.
Remind your family member to follow up with the state or local health department and to check and report their temperature.
If your family member does get sick during their 21-day follow-up period, do not panic. Sickness may be caused by many things other than Ebola, including colds or other viruses picked up overseas or on the trip home.
Encourage your family member to take time off to re-adjust and reconnect with family.
Prepare yourself to answer lots of questions from other family members and friends.
Check out this slide set explaining Ebola [PPT - 32 pages]—designed especially for middle school kids.
Talking with your children about Ebola and your deployment [PDF - 2 pages]
