Common things to know about Ebola Virus and its prevention

Today we will be talking about a viral disease called ‘Ebola‘. Unfortunately, it has a very rare treatment. Let’s see information and things related to it.

Few months ago, there was a major outbreak and a threat to the whole country in the form of a disease. ‘Ebola’ is a viral disease which is infectious and highly fatal in humans. Its current status for the fatality is overall 90%.

What is Ebola Virus and where it was identified?

Ebola is also called Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF).Ebola was firstly identified in 1976 in Nzara, Sudan, Yambuku and Democratic republic of Congo.

This ailment was named ‘Ebola’ as the village where it outbroke was situated near the Ebola River. The Ebola virus directly attacks the immune system and makes it fatigued.

Transmission modes of Ebola:-

1. Fruit bats of Pteropodidae family are known as the natural host, carriers of Ebola-virus.
2. Ebola spreads directly from infected animal; like bats, chimpanzees, rodents etc: then from human to human through close contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids.
3. Dead bodies are also the carriers of Ebola-viruses. Improper disposal can also lead to transmission of host to healthy body.
4. Those males, who have recovered from the EVD, can still transmit the viruses through their semen up to 7 weeks after the recovery from illness.
5. Uses of contaminated medical equipments; re-using the used needles, syringes can also transmit EVD.
6. Medical workers who don’t use appropriate clothing may also come into contact with EVD.
7. Just like some other communicable disease, Ebola can also be transmitted through unhygienic surroundings.

Signs and symptoms of Ebola Virus:-

Symptoms start with feverish-influenza type of conditions. In the first two weeks symptoms are minor like-

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Muscular and abdominal pain
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting and diarrhea

After the two weeks of illness, the symptoms gets heavy and in 40%-50% cases internal and external bleeding takes place.

Internally, bleeding from gastrointestinal tracts, reddening of eyes, bloody vomit etc takes place and external bleeding occurs from; gums, ears, vagina etc. Symptoms after two weeks of illness are-

• Maculopapular rashes can appear. Although this symptom has been reported on 50% cases.
• Decreased function of liver and kidneys.
• Shortness of breathing
• Trouble swallowing
• Hiccups

Diagnosis of Ebola Virus:-

To diagnose the Ebola-viruses there are several methods like; isolating the virus, detecting the RNA or detecting antibodies against the virus present.

Ebola can also be diagnosed through several laboratory tests that are given as follows:-

• Virus isolation by cell culture
• Antigen detection test
• Serum neutralization tests
• Electron microscopy
• ELISA

Vaccine for Ebola Virus:

Promptly, no licensed vaccine is present or available for Ebola-viruses. Many vaccines have been tested but none of them are fit for clinical usage.

• Patients are frequently provided Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) containing electrolyte or intravenous fluids.
• Now-a-days, a promising vaccine has been discovered that contains ‘Immuno- vaccine Inc’s technology’.
• This vaccine is good as, four monkeys were vaccinated and they survived Ebola.

Prevention:-

It is better known by everyone that, “Prevention is better than cure”. This factor is applicable in all types of ailment; whether it is minor or fatal. In EVD also, as there is no permanent cure for it so better is to prevent it.

Following are some measures that can be used to prevent EVD to a great extent:-

1. Controlling Reston Ebola virus in domestic animals (RESTV). No vaccine against RESTV is available. So the best thing one can do is to avoid infected animals contacts.
2. Use warm water with salt both for drinking and bathing; it is the traditional method to keep away EVD.
3. Ebola-viruses directly attack the immune system, so immune system should be strengthened. Every morning, few leaves of tulsi should be taken in empty stomach. This helps to boost up immunity level and keeps most of the ailment away from us.
4. Hygiene is compulsory. Cleansing hands with a good hand wash is a very effective and easy way to keep Ebola away from us.
5. Contaminated medical equipments, used syringes, needles etc should be avoided.

Today, Ebola is a major topic to be concerned. It is highly fatal and a deadliest form of disease. Every ailment is only dangerous when there is lack of knowledge about it.

Only proper guidance and preventive measures are needed. So stay alert. Let’s try our best to eradicate this life-threatening disease away from our world.

Source: www.wikipedia.org and www.who.int

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