The Spread of the Deadly Ebola Virus
Friday, February 8th, 2008There are four subtypes of the Ebola virus (Filoviridae family) - Zaïre, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire and Reston. Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF) is an illness which causes death in 50% to 90% of those who contract it.
Ebola was first identified in 1976 after epidemics in Yambuku, northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nzara and also southern Sudan. There were 431 deaths in 1976. In 1977 there were 22 deaths attributed to ebola. A large epidemic in Kikwit, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1995 claimed an additional 250 fatalities. During 2000 and 2001 there were 224 deaths. Between October of 2001 and December of 2003, several outbreaks of the Zaïre subtype, were reported in Gabon and the Republic of Congo that resulted in 254 deaths. In total 1,200 people have lost their lives to the ebola virus since it was first identified.
Transmission is by direct contact with an infected person’s blood or fluid secretions, or their organs (transplants). When mourners have direct contact with the body of someone who has died from Ebola virus transmission can occur to those who touch the body.
Animal to human transmission has been documented and has occurred between cynomolgus monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, and forest antelope (both dead and alive).
It is also possible for health care workers to be infected when they are treating patients with Ebola. The use of correct infection control measures and the use of adequate barrier methods should be used to avoid this transmission mode.
The incubation period for Ebola haemorrhagic fever is 21 days.
The symptoms for Ebola are very sudden onset of fever, an intense feeling of weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. Following these initial symptoms vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, impaired kidney and liver function occurs. In rare cases internal and external bleeding occurs also.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory tests reveal low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes. Other specialized tests reveal specific antigens and or genes of the ebola virus. Cell cultures will grow the virus. Laboratory cultures are an extreme biohazard and are only conducted under maximum biological containment conditions.
New diagnostic techniques include non-invasive methods of testing by way of saliva and urine samples.
Ebola patients need intensive care as they require intravenous fluids or oral rehydration to re-hydrate and for the electrolytes.
There are several vaccines being tested and a new drug therapy is being tested. Hyper-immune sera on animals have not shown any promise for protection against ebola; so the efforts so far to find a preventative measure have not been successful so far.
It is imperative that suspected cases of ebola be kept in isolation and strict nursing procedures followed to help prevent the spread of the disease.
It is important to contact anyone that may have been exposed to Ebola so that they can be isolated and monitored to help stem the spread of the disease.
Hospital and all other healthcare personnel should be adequately informed about Ebola to help stop the spread of infection through patient care contact. Protective equipment and other essentials like gowns, gloves, masks and goggles must be worn at all times when patient contact is made.
Because transmission can also occur through soiled clothing and bed linens these must be properly disinfected before these items can be handled.
Communities where active cases of Ebola are located, should keep the community members well informed about the disease and the measures that are being taken to contain the disease. Containment of the disease also includes burial procedures for deceased Ebola victims.
Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Tropical Diseases.
Tags: côte d ivoire, cynomolgus monkeys, ebola haemorrhagic fever, ebola virus, Tropical Diseases
