HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT EBOLA VIRUS?

Ebola disease has attracted a lot of media attention in
the recent past and rightly so. With the ongoing
epidemic in Guinea, here are some things you should
know about Ebola Haemorrhagic Disease (aka Ebola
Haemorrhagic fever, Ebola).

Ebola is a viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the
Ebola virus. It was first discovered in 1976 following
outbreaks in Sudan and Zaire (now Democratic
Republic of Congo). There are 5 strains of the virus:
Zaire, Sudan, Reston, Cote D’Ivoire and Tai forest
ebola viruses. Ebola is a deadly disease as evidenced
by its high case fatality rates.
Ebola is transmitted via direct contact with any bodily
fluid and tissue of an infected person. Infection could
be through direct or indirect contact with blood,
saliva, corpses of persons infected with the disease
to mention a few. There are also some animal
reservoirs of the virus. Examples include gorillas,
chimpanzees, rodents, fruit bats. So, improper
preparation and inadequate cooking of some bush
meats pose an additional risk factor to contracting
the disease. Overall, human to human contact is the
most common route of infection.
This year, the first outbreak of Ebola virus was
reported in Guinea,  as of April 5th 2014 a total of 151
suspected and confirmed cases with 95 deaths have
been reported the Ministry of Health according to the
Centre for Disease Control. In Liberia, 18 suspected
cases been reported by the Ministry of Health and
Social Welfare, Liberia and the World Health
Organisation with 7 deaths. Mali and Sierra Leone
have reported suspected cases which are under
investigation. Ebola has previously been reported in
other parts of the world previously including Italy, the
Philippines and the United States several years ago.
Ebola is a haemorrhagic fever and is therefore similar in
symptomatology to many other febrile illnesses
common in Sub- Saharan Africa. However, the
incubation period (average time between exposure to
the virus and when symptoms begin to develop)
ranges from 2-21 days. This means that it is possible
to contract the virus and transmit it while still being
asymptomatic for it. It is important to note that Ebola
fever can affect virtually every system in the body
though common symptoms include: Fever with flu-
like malaise, generalised weakness, sore throat, joint
pains, abdominal pains, vomiting, diarrhoea etc. Skin
presentation includes evidence of haemorrhaging
(hence the term ‘Haemorrhagic’) into the skin such as
petechiae, ecchymosis and hematoma. These are
often signs of poor prognosis.
Once a case is suspected, it must be
reported to the relevant health authorities
immediately particularly during an epidemic. This is
to ensure quarantine and confirm the diagnosis. A
laboratory diagnosis must be done to confirm the
diagnosis because there are so many other viral
diseases that are similar to Ebola such as Marburg’s
disease, Typhoid fever, Malaria and so on.
Treatment is largely supportive since there is no
actual drug therapy for the disease. Fluid and
electrolyte management are the mainstay. Antibiotics
are not effective against the disease because it is not
a bacterial infection. However, antibiotics may be
used to prevent bacterial superimposition on the
disease.
Prevention is very crucial to breaking the disease
transmission and overcoming the epidemic. Avoiding
direct and indirect contact with bodily fluids and
tissue of infected persons is the way to go. The
practice of barrier nursing for patients in hospitals is
effective, so also is frequent hand washing. The use
of gloves and appropriate personal protective
equipment must be used in taking care of ill patients.
Proper handling of corpses which may involve a
modification of burial practices is also a preventative
step. There are currently no vaccines for the
prevention of Ebola fever though research is
ongoing. The reporting of suspected cases to
relevant health authorities cannot be over-
emphasized.
Ebola Virus disease can be contained
if appropriate steps are taken early, besides it is
usually easy to recognise people with the illness as
they are often quite sick! Proper public health
practice is the best way to manage this epidemic for
instance, Lagos State Government has a Surveillance
Program which monitors all hospitals within the
state. This is to ensure that all suspected cases can
easily be referred to the closest General hospital
where adequate care for the disease is available,