WHAT IS EBOLA?
Its natural reservoir is believed to be bats, particularly fruit bats, and it is primarily transmitted between humans and from animals to humans, through body fluids.
EBOLA VIRUS FEVER:
Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) is a disease that affects humans and primates caused by the Ebola Virus and three other closely related viruses in the genus (group of related viruses) ebola virus. It is a hemorrhagic fever, meaning that victims may bleed inside the body or externally, and it has one of the highest case fatality rates(death rates) of any disease, killing between 50% and 90% of victims.
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
SYMPTOMS:
DIAGNOSIS:
The diagnosis is confirmed by isolating the virus, detecting its RNA or proteins, or detecting antibodies against the virus in a person's blood. Isolating the virus by cell culture, detecting the viral RNA by polymerase chain reaction Polymerase Chain ReactionPCR) and detecting proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) is effective early and in those who have died from the disease. Detecting antibodies against the virus is effective late in the disease and in those who recover. During an outbreak, virus isolation is often not feasible. The most common diagnostic methods are therefore real time PCR and ELISA detection of proteins, which can be performed in field or mobile hospitals. Filovirions can be seen and identified in cell culture by electron microscope due to their unique filamentous shapes, but electron microscopy cannot tell the difference between the various filoviruses despite there being some length differences.
PREVENTION:
2014 EBOLA OUTBREAK:
In West Africa. The outbreak is caused by one of the ebolaviruses, called simply, Ebola Virus(EBOV). It is the most severe outbreak of Ebola yet recorded in regard to the number of human cases and fatalities, since records began in 1976.The outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013 but was not detected until March 2014,after which it spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. In August 2014, the WHO reported a total to date of 1,848 suspected cases and 1,013 deaths (1,176 cases and 660 deaths being lab(confirmed), and formally designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of International Concern.
Should people in India worry?
‘It s not prevalent in India, but people living in remote areas, where living conditions are poor, are always at risk of getting infected. But largely there is no need to worry as such.’
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!!!
- Ebola is caused by a virus
- No vaccine and no cure available
- Causes severe illness, with bleeding
- Highly contagious; many people can quickly become infected
- Up to 90% of the infected will die
Its natural reservoir is believed to be bats, particularly fruit bats, and it is primarily transmitted between humans and from animals to humans, through body fluids.
EBOLA VIRUS FEVER:
Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) is a disease that affects humans and primates caused by the Ebola Virus and three other closely related viruses in the genus (group of related viruses) ebola virus. It is a hemorrhagic fever, meaning that victims may bleed inside the body or externally, and it has one of the highest case fatality rates(death rates) of any disease, killing between 50% and 90% of victims.
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
- Sick people can spread the disease to others
- People in direct contact with sick people are at highest risk:
- Family members
- Healthcare workers
- Contact with dead bodies can cause infection. BE CAREFUL
- DO NOT wash, touch or kiss dead bodies
- DO NOT wash hands in the same bucket as others who have touched the body
SYMPTOMS:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Vomitting(may contain bleeding)
- Diarhoea(may contain bleeding)
- Coughing(may contain bleeding)
- Bleeding
DIAGNOSIS:
The diagnosis is confirmed by isolating the virus, detecting its RNA or proteins, or detecting antibodies against the virus in a person's blood. Isolating the virus by cell culture, detecting the viral RNA by polymerase chain reaction Polymerase Chain ReactionPCR) and detecting proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) is effective early and in those who have died from the disease. Detecting antibodies against the virus is effective late in the disease and in those who recover. During an outbreak, virus isolation is often not feasible. The most common diagnostic methods are therefore real time PCR and ELISA detection of proteins, which can be performed in field or mobile hospitals. Filovirions can be seen and identified in cell culture by electron microscope due to their unique filamentous shapes, but electron microscopy cannot tell the difference between the various filoviruses despite there being some length differences.
PREVENTION:
- You can catch EBOLA from someone who is sick or dead. Dead bodies carry the virus. Bury carefully. Keep away.
- Wash your hands regularly – use soap!
- DO NOT touch an infected person or their body fluids,including blood, vomit, faeces, urine
- EBOLA is in animals and bats too. DO NOT touch or eat
- Call your medical centre and tell them about your illness
- Listen to the advice. You may be sent to a special hospital
- Keep away from others so they don’t get sick
- Be especially careful of your vomit and diarrhoea
- Getting treatment at Ebola Centers EARLY increases the chance of recovery.
- Quarantine, also known as enforced isolation, is usually effective in decreasing spread.Governments often quarantine areas where the disease is occurring or individuals who may be infected
In West Africa. The outbreak is caused by one of the ebolaviruses, called simply, Ebola Virus(EBOV). It is the most severe outbreak of Ebola yet recorded in regard to the number of human cases and fatalities, since records began in 1976.The outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013 but was not detected until March 2014,after which it spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. In August 2014, the WHO reported a total to date of 1,848 suspected cases and 1,013 deaths (1,176 cases and 660 deaths being lab(confirmed), and formally designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of International Concern.
Should people in India worry?
‘It s not prevalent in India, but people living in remote areas, where living conditions are poor, are always at risk of getting infected. But largely there is no need to worry as such.’
