What is Ebola?

Ebola is a deadly virus originating in parts of Africa. It is classified as a hemorrhagic fever, putting it in the same category as Marburg fever, Lassa fever, and Dengue fever. There are four varieties of Ebola, named after their country of origin. Ebola Zaire, Ebola Cote d’Ivoire, and Ebola Sudan are all known to cause serious illness in human beings. Ebola Reston does not appear to cause illness in people.

Transmission

The Ebola virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected persons. Burial ceremonies where mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can play a significant role in the transmission of Ebola.

The infection of human cases with Ebola virus through the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, and forest antelopes – both dead and alive – has been documented in Côte d’Ivoire, the Republic of Congo and Gabon.

People can be infected by coming into contact with Ebola patients without correct infection control precautions and adequate barrier procedures, including gloves, masks, etc.

Symptoms

Contrary to popular misconception, Ebola does not kill within a matter of hours, and the virus will incubate for up to two weeks before symptoms begin to occur. Ebola is characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.

Laboratory findings show low counts of white blood cells and platelets as well as elevated liver enzymes.

 

 During the incubation period, which can last about one week after infection, symptoms include:

                        Arthritis.

                        Backache (lower back pain).

                        Chills.

                        Diarrhoea.

                        Fatigue.

                        Fever.

                        Headache.

                        Nausea.

                        Sore throat.

                        Vomiting.

 

Later symptoms include:

1.                 Bleeding from eyes, ears, and nose.

2.                 Bleeding from the mouth and rectum (gastrointestinal bleeding).

3.                 Depression.

4.                 Eye swelling (conjunctivitis).

5.                 Genital swelling (labia and scrotum).

6.                 Increased feeling of pain in the skin.

7.                 Rash over the entire body that often contains blood (hemorrhagic).

8.                 Roof of mouth looks red.

 

Diagnosis

Specialized laboratory blood tests are used to detect specific antigens and/or genes of the Ebola virus. New developments in diagnostic techniques include non-invasive methods of diagnosis (testing saliva and urine samples) and testing inactivated samples to provide rapid laboratory diagnosis to support health-care workers during outbreaks.

 

Therapy and vaccine

Severe cases require intensive supportive care, as patients are frequently dehydrated and in need of intravenous fluids or oral rehydration with solutions containing electrolytes.

No specific treatment or vaccine is yet available for Ebola haemorrhagic fever. Several potential vaccines are being tested but it could be several years before any is available. A new drug therapy has shown some promise in laboratory studies and is currently being evaluated.

The Ebola patient is usually hospitalized and will most likely need intensive care. Supportive measures for shock include medications and fluids given through a vein. Bleeding problems may require transfusions of platelets or fresh blood.

Containment

Suspected cases should be isolated from other patients and strict quarantine measures implemented. Tracing and follow up of people who may have been exposed to Ebola through close contact with patients are both essential.

It is important to note that infection may also spread through contact with the soiled clothing or bed linens from a patient with Ebola. Disinfection is therefore required before handling these items.

Communities affected by Ebola should make efforts to ensure that the population is well informed, both about the nature of the disease itself and about necessary outbreak containment measures, including burial of the deceased. People who have died from Ebola should be promptly and safely buried.

As the primary mode of person-to-person transmission is contact with contaminated blood, secretions or body fluids, people who have had close physical contact with patients should be kept under strict surveillance. Their body temperature should be checked twice a day, with immediate hospitalization and strict isolation in case of the onset of fever.

If you think that someone has developed symptoms of the disorder, or you have come into contact with an Ebola patient, seek medical assistance immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve the chances of a full recovery.

DEALING WITH AN EBOLA OUTBREAK

The most effective way to deal with an Ebola outbreak is to arm you with knowledge on the virus to help reduce or prevent transmission of it. It is important to know that person-to-person transmission happens through contact with contaminated blood, secretions, or body fluids but with the correct procedures, you can help prevent the spread of Ebola.

 

How to deal with an outbreak

Do not panic. Health-care professionals are well-trained to deal with outbreaks such as an Ebola outbreak and by following their warnings and instructions, there is no need to panic about your health.

 

1.                 Avoid direct contact with someone suffering from Ebola. The disease is not air born however it is highly contagious through bodily fluids. Those suffering from Ebola will bleed severely and their faces and skin can rupture with touch.

 

2.                 Be cautious about the type of meat you eat during an Ebola outbreak, especially monkeys. Apes and monkeys are known carriers of the Ebola virus and it can be caught by eating infected animals.

 

3.                 Wash your hands with soap after shaking someone’s hand. Avoid shaking strangers hands during the height of the outbreak.

 

4.                 Avoid sharing clothes with others, especially anyone who has come into contact with an Ebola patient.

 

5.                 Cover your hands with gloves and make sure that your nose and mouth are properly protected before you visit/touch someone suffering from Ebola. In the later stages of the disease, Ebola will cause a host to convulse in an effort to spread blood to other hosts.

 

6.                 If you know someone who might have been exposed to the virus, get them medical treatment immediately. Ebola patients should be reported quickly and given treatment as soon as possible.

 

 

 

7.                 Someone who dies as a result of Ebola should be buried quickly and necessary barriers (gloves, masks) should be worn at all times around the deceased.

 

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