The Ebola virus disease EVD, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a rare yet severe illness that leads to death. The Ebola virus is transmitted from wild animals to humans and then spread via human to human contact. Studies show that the fatality rate of the Ebola Virus Disease is approximately 50%. However, these have shot up from 25% to 90% in the recent past outbreaks.
The Ebola outbreak first appeared in the year 1972; one was in Yambuku in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the other was in Nzara, South Sudan. There also was another outbreak in a certain village near the Ebola River where the disease derives its name. The biggest Ebola outbreak is in the year 2014 through to the year 2016. It started in Guinea then moved to Sierra Leone and to Liberia as well.
How is Ebola Transmitted?
It is suspected that the main Ebola Virus host is the fruit bats which belong to the pteropodidae family. The virus is however introduced to humans via close contact with secretions, blood, organs as well as other bodily fluids of the infected animals. These include; chimpanzees, fruit bats, gorillas, forest antelopes, monkeys, porcupines that are found dead, ill or in the rain forest. Once infected, a person can then transmit it to other people via direct contact through mucous membranes and broken skin.
Coming into contact with the blood or body of someone who has died from Ebola will also cause quick transmission. The same case applies to contact with objects used to handle someone who is ill or has died from the virus.
What are the Symptoms of Ebola?
The incubation period of the Ebola virus is 2-21 days. When infected, a person cannot transmit the disease until they develop the symptoms. These include;
How is Ebola Transmitted?
It is suspected that the main Ebola Virus host is the fruit bats which belong to the pteropodidae family. The virus is however introduced to humans via close contact with secretions, blood, organs as well as other bodily fluids of the infected animals. These include; chimpanzees, fruit bats, gorillas, forest antelopes, monkeys, porcupines that are found dead, ill or in the rain forest. Once infected, a person can then transmit it to other people via direct contact through mucous membranes and broken skin.
Coming into contact with the blood or body of someone who has died from Ebola will also cause quick transmission. The same case applies to contact with objects used to handle someone who is ill or has died from the virus.
What are the Symptoms of Ebola?
The incubation period of the Ebola virus is 2-21 days. When infected, a person cannot transmit the disease until they develop the symptoms. These include;
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
These symptoms are then followed through by;
(a) Vomiting
(b) Rash
(c) Diarrhea
(d) Impaired liver and kidney function
(e) Low white blood cells
(f) Internal and external bleeding
Measures to Control the Spread of Ebola Virus Disease
According the World Health Organization, community engagement is the key for a successful control of the EVD outbreaks. This includes; management, infection prevention, surveillance, good lab services, proper burial as well as social mobilization.
(a) Vomiting
(b) Rash
(c) Diarrhea
(d) Impaired liver and kidney function
(e) Low white blood cells
(f) Internal and external bleeding
Measures to Control the Spread of Ebola Virus Disease
According the World Health Organization, community engagement is the key for a successful control of the EVD outbreaks. This includes; management, infection prevention, surveillance, good lab services, proper burial as well as social mobilization.
Vaccines to guard against Ebola are under development and have been very helpful in guarding against the spreading of the Ebola Virus especially in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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