What Is Ebola?
Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus species. Ebola can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus.
Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic (bleeding) illness that has a high fatality rate. The virus was discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in the present day Democratic Republic of Congo. There are five strains of the Ebola virus -- Tai Forest, Sudan, Bundibugyo, Zaire, and Reston. Four of the strains (Reston is the exception) are responsible for outbreaks in humans. The Ebola virus is harbored by fruit bats, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope, chimpanzees, and porcupines.
Humans can contract the virus by coming into close contact with the body or bodily fluids (including blood) of an infected animal. Once the virus spreads to a human, person-to-person transmission is possible.
The Ebola Outbreak
Since 1976, outbreaks have occurred sporadically in Zaire, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Uganda. The largest outbreak, beginning in March 2014, affects Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Nigeria. The West Africa Ebola outbreak is the largest in history with 28,652 reported cases and 11,325 deaths as of April 2016. Visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for the latest outbreak statistics.
How Is Ebola Transmitted?
Ebola can be transmitted directly or indirectly.
People get Ebola through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth)
👉Direct transmission refers to the virus passing from the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person to another person via sexual contact possibly from contact with semen from a man who has recovered from Ebola (for example, by having oral, vaginal, or anal sex) or by infected body fluids or blood (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, that contact the mucous membranes, or broken skin.
👉 Indirect transmission refers to a person picking up a virus from a contaminated object, such as infected surgical equipment or objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with body fluids from a person who is sick with Ebola or the body of a person who has died from Ebola,
infected fruit bats or primates (apes and monkeys),
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The signs and symptoms of Ebola virus include :
👉fever greater than 101°F
👉vomiting
👉diarrhea
👉sore throat
👉severe headache
👉Joint/muscle pain
👉 abdominal pain
👉weakness
👉rash
👉internal bleeding
👉Some people with the illness may bleed from the eyes, nose, ears, and rectum.
👉Lab tests may reveal abnormal liver and kidney function.
👉Levels of white blood cells and platelets may be elevated.
EBOLA INCUBATION PERIOD
The incubation period of Ebola, defined as the period of time from exposure to the virus until the onset of symptoms, is 21 days. The average time from exposure to symptom development is about 8 – 10 days; bleeding is usually a later symptom that signifies severe infection.
TREATMENT
There is no cure for Ebola. New therapies are being investigated. Treatment for Ebola consists of supportive care which often includes :
👉Administering intravenous (IV) fluids
👉Monitoring and maintaining appropriate electrolyte balance
👉 Oxygen theraphy
👉 Replacing lost blood
👉Monitoring of vital signs e.g blood pressure levels and temperature.
Prevention and treatment of other infections that may develop in the Ebola-infected patient is important as well.
PREVENTION
👉Wash your hands frequently especially after using the restroom in a public place.
👉Avoid bush meat
👉Avoid contact with infected people
👉Follow infection-control procedures
👉Don't handle remains of infected person without protective equipment.
IS THERE ANY VACCINE FOR EBOLA?
There currently is no FDA-approved vaccine for the Ebola virus. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is working to develop an Ebola vaccine. In light of the West Africa Ebola outbreak, scientists from the NIAID, other international health agencies, and pharmaceutical companies, are expediting the research of several potential Ebola vaccines.
HLF🌀
