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.
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.
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 Africa
such as Liberia, Sierrea leone, Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic
of the Congo, Gabon, Sudan, the Ivory Coast, Uganda etc. Ebola VD is usually
spread within a health care setting. However, sporadic isolated cases may occur
unnoticed.
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:
1.Direct contact with an infected animal
or human;
2.Direct contact with the blood and or
secretions of an infected person especially within families;
3.Contact with contaminated medical
equipment such as needles;
4.Reuse of unsterilized needles in
hospital;
5.Eating or handling of the carcass of
infected animals;
6.Inhalation of contaminated air in
hospital environment;
7.Use of infected non human primate/bats
as food source;
8.Non implementation of universal
precautions.
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:
1.Fever
2.Headache
3.Diarrhea
4.Vomiting
5.Chest pain
6.Stomach pain
7.Cold
8.Cough
9.Joint and muscles pain
10.Sore throat
11.Weakness
12.Depression
13.Confusion
14.Red eyes
15. Internal and external
bleeding
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Who
is at risk?
1.People exposed to and handling wild
animals;
2.People depending on wild animals such
as bats as a food source;
3.Mortuary attendants;
4.Health workers caring for Ebola VD
patients;
5.Health workers in hospital settings
with poor basic hygiene and sanitation practices;
6.Family members of an infected patient;
7.People that go to hospitals with poor
hygiene and sanitation practices;
How
is Ebola Virus Disease prevented?
1.Avoid contact with the blood/secretions
of Ebola infected animals and humans or dead bodies by:
a)Maintain good hygiene and sanitation
practices in hospitals;
b)Isolate Ebola infected patients;
c)Dispose of dead bodies of Ebola
patients properly in a safe manner;
d)Avoid local traditional burial rituals
such as embalming for Ebola patients;
2.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;
SOURCE: Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja
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