The Ebola Disease

It is one of the world’s most virulent diseases, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%.

The disease was first discovered in the DRC Congo in 1976.

Since then Ebola has spread to countries further east, including Uganda and Sudan and has now spread further to some West African nations (Guinea, Liberia, and Nigeria among others).

The disease infects humans and is transmitted through direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals (most commonly chimpanzees, fruit bats and forest antelope) or people.

Ebola – in medicine abbreviated as EVD – can also be spread between humans indirectly through contact with contaminated entities.

Health officials have also warned that if mourners in a funeral of an Ebola victim have direct contact with the body of the deceased, they risk infection.

The incubation period for the disease can last from 2 days to 3 weeks, and diagnosis is difficult.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the initial symptoms of the disease can include a sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and a sore throat.

In its subsequent stages, symptoms seen in the victims include; vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver functions and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.

Laboratory tests usually indicate low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes in those infected.

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment available even as new drug therapies are being evaluated.

Several vaccines are being tested, but still none are available or licensed one for clinical use.

WHO has advised that severely ill patients require intensive supportive care, since they are frequently dehydrated and require oral rehydration with solutions containing electrolytes or intravenous fluids.

WHO has given several precautions to control the spread of the disease among people and from animals to humans.

To reduce the risk of wildlife-to-human or human-to-human transmission from contact with infected fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of their raw meat, WHO advices that;

One should handle animals with gloves and other appropriate protective clothing.

Animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

Avoid contact of shared towels which could have become contaminated in a public place.

Avoid consuming raw bush meat and any contact with infected bats or monkeys and apes.

Avoid close physical contact with Ebola patients. Gloves should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home as an appropriate personal protective equipment.

Regular hand washing is required after visiting patients in hospital, as well as after taking care of patients at home

Communities affected by Ebola are required to inform the population about the nature of the disease and about outbreak containment measures, including burial of the dead.

Health workers should practice basic hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment and safe injection practices among others.

The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the worst reported in the history of the existence of the disease.

Countries have been put on alert over the outbreak and have already started putting some measures in place including screening at airports and at border points.

By Morgan Mueke