Ebola Alert

 

What is Ebola virus disease?

Ebola virus disease is a severe disease that can lead to death in over half of people who get infected. The good news is it can be prevented by some simple techniques and, and even those who are infected may survive it if they can get good hospital treatment as soon as possible. Ebola is not a new disease. It has been around since 1976, when it started at the same time in 2 separate places: in a remote area of Sudan, and in a village near the Ebola River (after which it was named) in Democratic Republic of Congo. It affects both human beings and primates like monkeys, but one knows exactly where it comes from. Fruit bats (a delicacy in some parts of West Africa) are considered the most likely hosts (that is, they can carry it without being affected).
Ebola first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, one in a village near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the other in a remote area of Sudan.
The origin of the virus is unknown but fruit bats (Pteropodidae) are considered the likely host of the Ebola virus, based on available evidence.

How do people become infected with the virus?

Ebola Is transmitted from infected animals to people who into close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of those animals. Here in Africa, such infected animals include chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in forests (in other words, "bush meat.")
It is important to reduce contact with high-risk animals (like fruit bats, monkeys or apes): this includes not picking up dead animals found lying in the forest (anything could have killed them) or handling their raw meat.

How does Ebola spread?

Once a human being comes into contact with an animal that has Ebola, it can spread within the community from person to person. Infection occurs from direct contact (through injured skin or mucous membranes like the mouth, anus and vagina) with either

• blood, or other bodily fluids or secretions (stool, urine, saliva, semen) of infected people.
• environments that have been contaminated with the infectious fluids of someone with Ebola, such as soiled clothing, bed linen, or used needles.

Health workers have frequently been exposed to the virus when caring for Ebola patients. This happens when they don't wear personal protection equipment, such as gloves, when caring for the patients. All health care providers everywhereshould know about the nature of the disease and how it is transmitted, and strictly follow recommended infection control precautions, especially frequent handwashing.
Mourners in burial ceremonieswho come into direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also easily be infected by Ebola and transmit it to others. Persons who have died of Ebola (or any unknown causes) must be carefully handled, using strong protective clothing and gloves, and buried immediately.
People can transmit Ebola as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus. Anyone who is infected should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals and tested to ensure the virus is no longer in their systems before they return home. When a patient is discharged to return home, they are no longer infectious and cannot infect anyone else.
Men who have recovered from the illness can still spread the virus to their partner through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery. Men treated for Ebola should therefore avoid having sex (or wear condoms if they do) for at least 7 weeks after recovery.
Photo Credit: www.roderickphillips.com

Who is most at risk?

During an outbreak, those at higher risk of infection are:
health workers;
family members or others in close contact with infected people;
mourners who have direct contact with the bodies of the deceased as part of burial ceremonies; and hunters in the rain forest who come into contact with dead animals found lying in the forest.More research is needed to understand if some groups, such as those with compromised immune systems (like people with HIV) or with other underlying health conditions, are more likely than others to contract the virus.
Exposure to the virus can be controlled through the use of protective measures in clinics and hospitals, at community gatherings, or at home.
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What are typical signs and symptoms of infection?

• - Sudden fever (increased body temperature)
• - Intense weakness and muscle pain
• - Headache
• - Sore throat
• - This is followed by vomiting and diarrhoea, skin rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.
Laboratory tests might find that the person has low white blood cell and platelet counts, and elevated liver enzymes. Ebola virus disease infections can only be confirmed through laboratory testing.
The time between being infected to when symptoms start (incubation period), is from 2 to 21 days.
You can't get Ebola from someone during the incubation period. You can only get it when they start to show symptoms. That is when they are contagious.
Photo Credit: http://inside.akronchildrens.org

  

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