Ebola

Ebola is a rare but deadly virus that causes fever, body aches and diarrhoea. The viral infection causes high body temperature and general bleeding in the infected person or animal. The infection is transmitted through contact with the body fluid of an infected person or animal. Death rates can be as high as 9 in 10 infected people depending on the virus type.

Ebola can be prevented by vaccination and public health measures. Treatment currently involves providing early access to rehydration for infected people and managing the symptoms. There are two medicines currently in use for the management of Ebola, Inmazeb and Ebanga.

Early on, Ebola can feel like the flu or other illnesses. Symptoms show up 2 to 21 days after infection and usually include:

• High fever.
• Headache.
• Joint and muscle aches.
• Sore throat.
• Weakness.
• Stomach pain.
• Lack of appetite

As the disease worsens, it causes bleeding inside the body and the eyes, ears and nose. Some people will vomit or cough up blood, have bloody diarrhoea and get a rash.

Ebola viral disease is caused by an infection with the ebola virus. You can get ebola viral disease from touching a sick person or being in contact with their body fluids.

The following persons are most at risk. They include:

• Health workers who do not use proper infection control while caring for Ebola patients.
• Family and friends who are in close contact with Ebola patients.
• People who travel to areas with reported Ebola infections.
• People who eat or handle bushmeat. Bush meat is the meat of wild animals, including hoofed animals (such as duikers), monkeys and apes, bats, and giant and cane rats.

Scientists do not know where the Ebola virus comes from. However, based on the nature of similar viruses, they believe the virus originates in animals, with bats or apes and monkeys being the most likely source. Infected animals carrying the virus can transmit it to other animals.

If you have one or more of the listed symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Ebola, go to the healthcare provider immediately.

Ebola can be prevented by vaccination (Zaire strain) and public health measures. You should avoid contact with infected people or with corpses.

Prevention:

• Do not touch the body or personal belongings of anyone that you suspect may be infected with Ebola. Wash your hands regularly with lots of soap and water to prevent catching the disease.
• There’s a vaccine to prevent Ebola. You may be able to get the vaccine from the World Health Organization, but it is not readily available. Take the vaccine against Ebola when it is offered to you.
• All healthcare workers treating patients with Ebola must wear masks, gloves, and goggles whenever they encounter people who may have Ebola.
• Your healthcare provider should implement infection-control measures: equipment sterilization, routine handwashing and use of disinfectants.
• Ebola patients must be isolated in suitable facilities away from unprotected persons until they recover from the infection.
• The best way to avoid catching the disease is by not travelling to areas where the virus is found.
• If you are in an area where Ebola is present, avoid contact with bats, monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas since these animals spread Ebola to people.

Treatment:

Doctors manage the symptoms of Ebola with:

• Fluids containing salts that your body needs.
• Oxygen to maintain oxygen levels in the blood of the patient.
• Blood pressure medication.
• Blood transfusions.
• Treatment for other infections if they occur.

It is important do everything you can to prevent an Ebola infection, as it is a very deadly disease. People can survive the infection and, when they do, they are then no longer infectious and do not form a danger to anyone else. In the long term, those who survive the disease may have mood disorders (including anxiety and depression) and physical disabilities (including abdominal pain, hearing loss and bone pain). Early detection is important in preventing death, but also many of these complications. If you have one or more symptoms of Ebola report to your healthcare provider immediately and let them know what is ailing you. They can help you, but they also need to protect themselves.