What you need to know about Ebola virus
What you need to know:
Sexual transmission of the Ebola virus, from males to females, is a strong possibility, therefore, safe sexual practices should be ensured or abstain all together until the semen has twice tested negative
Uganda has once again found herself having to deal with Ebola after the ministry of health confirmed that three people who crossed from DR Congo into the country had been tested and found to have the virus. Of the three, two have passed on.
Although the country has in the past been hit by the deadly disease and lost many lives, lessons have been learnt and the country is in a much better position to deal with Ebola.
Here are some of the stories we have done over the last few years, that show how the government and ministry of health in particular have worked to ensure that the disease does not become a crisis, including vaccinating health workers, creating faster testing methods and creating efficient alert systems.
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Key things that you need to know about Ebola virus
What is Ebola virus disease?
Ebola virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness, with a death rate of up to 90% caused by Ebola virus.
How do people become infected with the Ebola virus?
People become infected with Ebola virus mainly through contact with the body fluids of infected humans. Most cases are caused by human to human transmission which occurs when blood or other bodily fluids or secretions (stool, urine, saliva, vomit, semen) of infected people enters a healthy person’s body through broken skin or mucous membranes.
Infection can also occur if the broken skin or the mucous membranes of a healthy person comes into contact with items or environments contaminated with bodily fluids from an infected person. These may include soiled clothing, bed linen, gloves, protective equipment and medical waste such as used hypodermic syringes.
Who is most at risk?
During an outbreak, those at higher risk of infection are:
• Health workers;
• Family members or others in close contact with infected people;
• Mourners who have direct contact with bodies during burial rituals.
Can Ebola be transmitted sexually?
Sexual transmission of the Ebola virus, from males to females, is a strong possibility, therefore, safe sexual practices should be ensured or abstain all together until the semen has twice tested negative. Survivors should be provided with condoms. Good hand and personal hygiene should also be observed.
What are the typical signs and symptoms of Ebola virus infection?
Ebola symptoms vary but sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat are commonly
experienced at the beginning of the disease (‘the dry phase’). As the disease progresses, people commonly develop vomiting and diarrhoea (‘the wet phase’), rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.
How long does it take for people to develop symptoms after being infected?
The incubation period, or the time interval from infection to onset of symptoms, is from 2 to 21 days. People are not contagious until they develop symptoms. Ebola virus disease infections can only be confirmed through laboratory testing.
When should someone seek medical care?
A person with Ebola-like symptoms (fever, headache, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, diarrhea) who has been in contact with living or dead people suspected to have had Ebola or has travelled to an area known to have cases of Ebola virus disease should seek medical care immediately.
Is there any treatment for Ebola?
Supportive care, especially fluid replacement therapy, carefully managed and monitored by trained health workers improves chances of survival.
Can people with Ebola be cared for at home?
No. Families or communities are advised not to care for individuals with symptoms of Ebola virus disease at home. People with such symptoms should seek treatment in a hospital or treatment centre staffed by doctors and nurses equipped to treat Ebola virus disease.
If a person dies at home and is suspected of having died from Ebola virus disease, family and community members should refrain from handling or preparing the body for burial. The local health authorities should be contacted immediately and asked to send a dead body management team.
Can Ebola be prevented?
People can protect themselves from infection with Ebola virus following specific infection prevention and control measures. These include hand washing, avoiding contact with the bodily fluids of individuals who are suspected of or confirmed to have Ebola, and refraining from handling or preparing bodies of persons who are suspected of or confirmed to have died from Ebola.
Is there an Ebola vaccine?
The investigational vaccine being used in DRC and by health and frontline workers in Uganda has so far been effective in protecting people from developing the disease, and has helped those who do develop the disease to have a better chance of survival.
People who have been in contact with someone with the disease are offered vaccine and asked to monitor their health for 21 days to ensure they do not become ill as well.