Fact Sheet On Ebola Fever!

[FlyJ]

 

Ebola hemorrhagic fever

 

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe and often deadly illness that can occur in humans and primates (e.g. monkeys, gorillas).

 

Ebola hemorrhagic fever has made worldwide news because of its destructive potential.

 

Causes

Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola fever) is caused by a virus belonging to the family called Filoviridae. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola virus. Four have been reported to cause disease in humans: Ebola-Zaire virus, Ebola-Sudan virus, Ebola-Ivory Coast virus, and Ebola-Bundibugyo. The human disease has so far been limited to parts of Africa

 

 

The Reston type of Ebola virus has recently been found in the Philippines.

 

The disease can be passed to humans from infected animals and animal materials. Ebola can also be spread between humans by close contact with infected body fluids or through infected needles in the hospital.

 

Symptoms

 

 

During the incubation period, which can last about 1 week (rarely up to 2 weeks) after infection, symptoms include:

 

• Arthritis
  
• Backache (low-back pain)
  
• Chills
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Fatigue
  
• Fever
  
• Headache
  
• Malaise
  
• Nausea
  
• Sore throat
  
• Vomiting
  

Late symptoms include:

 

 

• Bleeding from eyes, ears, and nose
  
• Bleeding from the mouth and rectum (gastrointestinal bleeding)
  
• Eye swelling (conjunctivitis)
  
• Genital swelling (labia and scrotum)
  
• Increased feeling of pain in the skin
  
• Rash over the entire body that often contains blood (hemorrhagic)
  
• Roof of mouth looks red
  

 

 

There may be signs and symptoms of:

Coma

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Shock

 

Exams and Tests

 

Tests used to diagnose Ebola fever include:

 

 

• CBC
  
• Electrolytes
  
• Tests of how well the blood clots (coagulation studies)
  
• Liver function tests
  
• Tests to show whether someone has been exposed to the Ebola virus (virus-specific antibodies)
  

Treatment

 

There is no known cure. Existing medicines that fight viruses (antivirals) do not work well against Ebola virus.

 

The patient is usually hospitalized and will most likely need intensive care. Supportive measures for shock include medications and fluids given through a vein.

 

Bleeding problems may require transfusions of platelets or fresh blood.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

As many as 90% of patients die from the disease. Patients usually die from low blood pressure (shock) rather than from blood loss.

Possible Complications

 

Survivors may have unusual problems, such as hair loss and sensory changes.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your health care provider if you have traveled to Africa (or if you know you have been exposed to Ebola fever) and you develop symptoms of the disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve the chances of survival.

 

Prevention

 

Avoid areas in which there are epidemics. Wear a gown, gloves, and mask around sick patients. These precautions will greatly decrease the risk of transmission.

 

Alternative Names

Ebola virus infection; Viral hemorrhagic fever

 

Source

[FlyJ]

Nigerian Government Issues Red Alert On Ebola Virus

Nigerian government has issued a red alert on Ebola virus, the causative agent of Ebola hemorrhagic fever. In the alert, Nigeria's federal ministry of health is urging individuals with high fever, headache, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and bleeding to report to the health authorities, especially individuals who had traveled to Guinea, Sierra Leone and/or Liberia.

 

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister of Health, Mr. Dan Nwome, the health ministry said members of the public should take measures to avert the outbreak or spread of the disease. It added that Nigeria has the capacity to diagnose the disease if it appears here,

 

Nwome said: "The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is currently studying the outbreak trends and has mobilised its rapid response teams and developed a detailed response plan that includes a comprehensive health education/health promotion to sensitise Nigerians, enhanced surveillance to detect and treat the disease, while mobilising its treatment/isolation centres. An alert has been issued to all State Commissioners of Health to mobilise against the disease."

 

He added that the Federal Ministry of Health is working closely with West African Health Organization (WAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and is ready to deploy experts to Guinea on request by the affected country to strengthen its response capacity.

 

Source

[guchi]

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