Health
10 Latest Updates about Ebola
by John Gary
The deadly virus Ebola has affected so many countries. It was first discovered in 1976. However, it has recently been witnessed in many parts of Africa with so many deaths and such cases. Countries like Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have vastly suffered due to the disease, especially since they do not have sufficient medical and other resources to take efficient care of the outbreak. Here are the 10 most recent updates that have been made regarding Ebola:
1. Prevention Control Techniques
The control of the disease would require contact tracing, surveillance, and case management, along with social mobilization. Proper engagement of the community has served a great purpose through the course. Awareness has significantly been raised about the disease through various news channels and online platforms. The individuals that have been affected were also isolated from other people so that it would not spread.
2. Countries Recently Attacked
The Ebola virus is known to have attacked many of the African countries, including Sierra Leone very recently. This means that there is still a threat of the disease spreading to other countries until proper measures are taken to stop it.
3. Second Ebola Vaccine Trial
WHO has welcomed the second Ebola vaccine trial scheduled to happen in Switzerland. If the results are great, then the study will move to a grander scale in Africa.
4. Number of People Dead From Ebola
Less than a month ago, WHO reported that around 4,447 people had died due to Ebola, with the most amounts of victims from the West African region.
5. Transmission of Ebola
Ebola can be transmitted through contact with secretions, blood, organs, or any other body fluids of any animals that have been infected. Direct contact between humans with one of them being affected can also transmit the disease.
6. Symptoms of the Disease
The period of incubation for the disease is about 2 to 21 days. However, the humans are only infectious when they start developing the symptoms for the disease. The first of the symptoms involve sudden muscle pain, fever, headache, sore throat, and fatigue. This is then usually followed by diarrhea, impairment of liver and kidney function, rash, vomiting, and also internal and external bleeding in some of the cases.
7. Diagnosis
While the diagnosis of the disease can be a little difficult, it is possible. The following methods can be followed for diagnosis:
- virus isolation by cell culture
- electron microscopy
- antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
- serum neutralization test
- antigen-capture detection tests
- reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay
8. Treatment and Relevant Vaccinations
Survival can greatly be improved through rehydration with the help of intravenous and oral fluids along with treatment of various symptoms. While no current treatment for the disease exists, there are some potential treatments available such as immune therapies, drug therapies, as well as blood products that are being evaluated. Two potential vaccines are also underway.
9. Control for Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers are required to take certain precautions when dealing with patients with a potential for Ebola. These would include respiratory hygiene, basic hand hygiene, safe burial and injection practices, as well as the use of protective equipment.
10. How Non Affected Countries Should Be Prepared For Ebola
There should be increased surveillance so that Ebola can be detected well in advance and taken care of. This can be done by planning well and training the healthcare network. Communication campaigns are also a great idea. This way, quality health care to the residents of Maryland can be provided and the people can remain well protected from Ebola.
