Ebola-Stay Aware Stay Safe

     I see people everywhere talking about Ebola, a disease, only the name of which is known to people. A few people, who know about this disease try to make others aware of the symptoms and safety measures through messages and what not. But, people ignore those messages assuming them as fake ones. Through this blog, I give a attempt to spread awareness about this Ebola Virus Disease.
     First, what is Ebola Virus? 
          Ebola Virus, also known as Zaire Ebolavirus, is one of the five viruses within the Genus Ebolavirus. The other four are, Bundibugyo ebolavirus, Reston ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus and Tai Forest ebolavirus. All these viruses are named according to the region where they were originally identified. Four of the viruses cause Hemorrhagic fever in humans and also mammals. The Zaire EbolaVirus has the largest number of outbreaks among the five and also with the most number of death. It was first recorded in 1976 in Zaire, a Central-African State. The term Ebola Virus was derived from Ebola river in Zaire.
     Ebola Virus is also known as EBOV. Its variant is Mayinga, EBOV/May, named after Mayinga N'Seka, a nurse who died in 1976 during the outbreak.

     Ebola Virus Disease:
          Ebola Virus Disease is a disease of Humans and Mammals caused by Ebola Virus.
     Symptoms:
          The time for contact with the disease and developing symptoms can usually 2 to 21 days.
Some initial symptoms include,

• Beginning with a sudden Influenza
• Feeling tired
• Hemorrhagic Fever with a usual temperature of more than 100°F
• Pain in the muscles and joints
• Headache
• Sore throat

     Followed by,

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal Pain
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling
• Confusion and
• Maculopapular Rash

     In some cases, internal and external bleeding may also occur. All infected also show some decreased Blood Clotting. Recovery occurs only after 7 days after the symptoms start. It does not cause instant death. Death, if it occurs, takes 6-16 days from the start of symptoms and is generally due to Low Blood pressure from Fluid Loss. EBOV often results in blood loss which results in Death. People, near to their end of life, are often in COMA. 

     

     Transmission:

          At the initial stage of transmission, EBOV is spread through close contact with infected animals, mainly Chimpanzees, Fruit Bats and Antelopes. Between humans, EBOV spreads ONLY through direct contact with blood of body fluids of the infected person.

          Body fluids that may contain this virus include, saliva, mucus, semen, breast milk, urine, vomit, feces, sweat and tears.
          Entry points for the virus are nose, mouth, eyes, open wounds, cuts and abrasions. Contact with contaminated syringes and injections can also result in transmission.
          Dead bodies of people infected with EBOV remains infected. So, people who handle dead bodies at the burial ground for religious practises are also prone to this virus. It is believed that around two third of the cases of EBOV in Guinea in 2014 are due to contact with infected corpses.
          Bushmeat, a source of animal protein for people mainly in West and Central Africa is a major source of transmission of EBOV
          Healthcare people are most likely to be affected with EBOV as they be in contact with infected people for a long time. It can be reduced if the doctors have adequate suit of a certain level. Hazmat Suits are generally used when working with such a disease.

     Prevention:

          The infected person should be in barrier isolation. All the medical equipments that may have come with contact with the patient's body fluid, patient's waste and all other things which may have come in contact with the patient needs to be disinfected. EBOV can be eliminated through heat. It requires 5 minutes of boiling. 
          The WHO have recommended some protective measures like, avoiding direct contact with the infected person, washing hands regularly using soap and water. 
          ZMapp is a antibody vaccine used to treat EBOV patients. Its supply is limited. Though some people have recovered through this ZMapp, its results are not statistically significant for being official. Bill and Melina gates foundation have contributed $150000 to Amgen, an American International biopharmaceutical company who produces this vaccine. 
          According to an UN Agency, EBOV has killed around 4922 people out of the total 10121 cases recorded. Three West African countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, have recorded the most number of cases with 4912 deaths out of total 10114 cases recorded.

     So, Stay Aware and Stay Safe.