As Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has continued to cause hysteria and panic in contries around the world, especially the mighty US, there is need to continue to remind people about what is know of the etiologic agent of the disease, the Ebola virus. This piece is from the website of the Nigerian government, one of two nations that fought off the disease from their soils.
Frequently asked questions on Ebola virus
1. What is Ebola Virus Disease?
Ebola Virus Disease is a highly infectious and deadly disease affecting humans and animals such as monkeys, gorillas, Chimpanzees, bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods. The disease is caused by Ebola virus and it occurs in sporadic outbreak.
2. Where is Ebola Virus Disease found?
Though the natural habitat of the Ebola virus is unknown, Ebola virus is normally found in an animal host that is native to the African continent.
3. Where do cases of Ebola Virus Disease occur?
Outbreaks of Ebola VD have been mainly restricted to Africa. Confirmed cases of Ebola VD have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Sudan, the Ivory Coast, Uganda and the Republic of the Congo.
Ebola VD is usually spread within a health care setting. However, sporadic isolated cases may occur unnoticed.
4. How is Ebola Virus Disease spread?
The manner in which the Ebola virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak has not been determined. However, Ebola VD could be spread through the following:
I. Direct contact with an infected animal or human;
II. Direct contact with the blood and or secretions of an infected person especially within families;
III. Contact with contaminated medical equipment such as needles;
IV. Reuse of unsterilized needles in hospital;
V. Eating or handling of the carcass of infected animals;
VI. Inhalation of contaminated air in hospital environment;
VII. Use of infected non human primate/bats as food source;
VIII. Non implementation of universal precautions.
5. What are the symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease?
The incubation period for Ebola VD ranges from 2 to 21 days. The signs and symptoms of Ebola VD include:
a. Fever
b. Headache
c. Diarrhea
d. Vomiting
e. Chest pain
f. Stomach pain
g. Cold
h. Cough
i. Joint and muscles pain
j. Sore throat
k. Weakness
l. Depression
m. Confusion
n. Red eyes
o. Internal and external bleeding
6. Who is at risk?
I. People exposed to and handling wild animals;
II. People depending on wild animals such as bats as a food source;
III. Mortuary attendants;
IV. Health workers caring for Ebola VD patients;
V. Health workers in hospital settings with poor basic hygiene and sanitation practices;
VI. Family members of an infected patient;
VII. People that go to hospitals with poor hygiene and sanitation practices;
7. How can one prevent himself of herself from contacting Ebola Virus Disease?
a) Avoid contact with the blood/secretions of Ebola infected animals and humans or dead bodies by:
i. Maintaining good hygiene and sanitation practices in hospitals;
ii. Noting that there is currently no immunization to prevent the disease;
iii. Avoiding the eating of animals such as monkeys, gorillas, Chimpanzees, bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods;
iv. If you must eat animals such as monkeys, gorillas, Chimpanzees, bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, please cook them very well;
v. Isolate Ebola infected patients;
vi. Disposing of dead bodies of Ebola patients properly in a safe manner;
vii. Avoiding local traditional burial rituals such as embalming for Ebola patients;
b) Health workers and visitors caring for Ebola patients should:
a) Wear proper personal protective equipment such as disposable face mask. Gloves, goggles,
b) and gown always;
c) Use disposable needles;
d) Avoid reuse of needles or use of inadequately sterilized needles;
e) Avoid embalming of a deceased Ebola patient;
8. Who could be contacted in case further information is needed on this issue of Ebola virus?
Please contact:
• Dr. Oyemakinde: Chief Consultant Epidemiologist, 08033120482, gbekeloluwa@yahoo.com
• Mr. Aniefiok Moses: Head of Epidemic Control, 08023214998, aniemos@yahoo.com .
• Mrs. Elsie Ilori: 08037879701, e-mail: elsiesamantha1@yahoo.com
• Mr. Durojaye A: 08037154575, e-mail: bayduro@yahoo.co.uk
Produced by Federal Ministry of Health, Health Promotion Division in collaboration with Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Abuja.
Frequently asked questions on Ebola virus
 |
| President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria |
Ebola Virus Disease is a highly infectious and deadly disease affecting humans and animals such as monkeys, gorillas, Chimpanzees, bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods. The disease is caused by Ebola virus and it occurs in sporadic outbreak.
2. Where is Ebola Virus Disease found?
Though the natural habitat of the Ebola virus is unknown, Ebola virus is normally found in an animal host that is native to the African continent.
3. Where do cases of Ebola Virus Disease occur?
Outbreaks of Ebola VD have been mainly restricted to Africa. Confirmed cases of Ebola VD have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Sudan, the Ivory Coast, Uganda and the Republic of the Congo.
Ebola VD is usually spread within a health care setting. However, sporadic isolated cases may occur unnoticed.
4. How is Ebola Virus Disease spread?
The manner in which the Ebola virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak has not been determined. However, Ebola VD could be spread through the following:
I. Direct contact with an infected animal or human;
II. Direct contact with the blood and or secretions of an infected person especially within families;
III. Contact with contaminated medical equipment such as needles;
IV. Reuse of unsterilized needles in hospital;
V. Eating or handling of the carcass of infected animals;
VI. Inhalation of contaminated air in hospital environment;
VII. Use of infected non human primate/bats as food source;
VIII. Non implementation of universal precautions.
5. What are the symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease?
The incubation period for Ebola VD ranges from 2 to 21 days. The signs and symptoms of Ebola VD include:
a. Fever
b. Headache
c. Diarrhea
d. Vomiting
e. Chest pain
f. Stomach pain
g. Cold
h. Cough
i. Joint and muscles pain
j. Sore throat
k. Weakness
l. Depression
m. Confusion
n. Red eyes
o. Internal and external bleeding
6. Who is at risk?
I. People exposed to and handling wild animals;
II. People depending on wild animals such as bats as a food source;
III. Mortuary attendants;
IV. Health workers caring for Ebola VD patients;
V. Health workers in hospital settings with poor basic hygiene and sanitation practices;
VI. Family members of an infected patient;
VII. People that go to hospitals with poor hygiene and sanitation practices;
7. How can one prevent himself of herself from contacting Ebola Virus Disease?
a) Avoid contact with the blood/secretions of Ebola infected animals and humans or dead bodies by:
i. Maintaining good hygiene and sanitation practices in hospitals;
ii. Noting that there is currently no immunization to prevent the disease;
iii. Avoiding the eating of animals such as monkeys, gorillas, Chimpanzees, bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods;
iv. If you must eat animals such as monkeys, gorillas, Chimpanzees, bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, please cook them very well;
v. Isolate Ebola infected patients;
vi. Disposing of dead bodies of Ebola patients properly in a safe manner;
vii. Avoiding local traditional burial rituals such as embalming for Ebola patients;
b) Health workers and visitors caring for Ebola patients should:
a) Wear proper personal protective equipment such as disposable face mask. Gloves, goggles,
b) and gown always;
c) Use disposable needles;
d) Avoid reuse of needles or use of inadequately sterilized needles;
e) Avoid embalming of a deceased Ebola patient;
8. Who could be contacted in case further information is needed on this issue of Ebola virus?
Please contact:
• Dr. Oyemakinde: Chief Consultant Epidemiologist, 08033120482, gbekeloluwa@yahoo.com
• Mr. Aniefiok Moses: Head of Epidemic Control, 08023214998, aniemos@yahoo.com .
• Mrs. Elsie Ilori: 08037879701, e-mail: elsiesamantha1@yahoo.com
• Mr. Durojaye A: 08037154575, e-mail: bayduro@yahoo.co.uk
Produced by Federal Ministry of Health, Health Promotion Division in collaboration with Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Abuja.
Note Nigeria has since, curtailed the EVD and the WHO is expected to declare the country Ebola free any moment from now. The designated health authorities in your country should be contacted in case of any emergency or for further information.
No comments:
Post a Comment