Ebola
Ebola is a viral disease also known as Ebola virus disease (EVD). It is a hemorrhagic fever that is viral to primates and humans. Its transmission is through contact of fluids of an infected primate or human being. It can be detected through semen, urine and also breast milk. It is sporadic in European countries, but in Africa, some cases have shown its presence. Its transmission can be from animal to animal as they suggest that bats are the primary host for the virus. The interaction of animals in the forest makes the spread easier. The disease can be transmitted to human beings by spilling over events like hunting and preparing animal meats to eat. From that sequence, when a human being is infected, he has the likely hood to infect others. Human to human transmission can be either through hospitals or unprotected health care. The disease got its name from its place of origin. Ebola River was the first place for the disease to appear first. Ebola River is found in Democratic Republic. This was due to people’s interaction with wild animals especially monkey and gorillas. This made it easy for the disease to spread in the areas.
This disease was first discovered in Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo) in the 19th century (1972). Some signs of this pandemic include fatigue and body weakness, abdominal pains, fever, and pain and body pains like headache muscle and joint pain. The patient can also experience some gastrointestinal signs like diarrhea and vomiting.
When a person is infected with Ebola, he experiences somebody changes. The virus damages body organs and also the immune system. The virus causes blood-clotting cells in the body to be weak, leading to bleeding that cannot be controlled. When the virus intrudes the body, it destroys the body cells making them explode, making an infected person experience heavy internal bleeding. It’s much likely that a person can directly get it from contacting an infected person’s body fluids.
Scientist have worked their way diligently that they have find a way of diagnosing the virus. This diagnosis is made through tissue from the infected person. Before doing this tissue testing there must be a way of eliminating malaria. The virus may have some signs that are the same with malaria. The virus is very hard to diagnose it from its signs and symptoms. Blood test and tissue testing is the best and appropriate way of diagnosing it. When a person is diagnosed with the virus, he/she is kept in isolation from the public effectively to contain the spread.
Ebola has no definite cure, but the researchers are working well to find an amicable solution. There has been only one drug that is used to treat and manage the virus. Inmazeb is the only drug that can control the virus. This drug is a combination of some monoclonal antibodies, three of them (odesivimab-ebgn, atoltivimab, maftivimab). Some other treatment includes serum that is experimented to destroy infected cells. Physicians can also manage the virus through blood transfusion, medication of blood pressure, infusion of fluids and electrolytes and oxygen.
The virus spread can be prevented, this can be through vaccination. The known vaccine (rVSV-ZEBOV) Everbo can be able to treat virus strains from DRC. Researchers have advised people the best way to contain the virus, this can be by avoiding travels to the much affected areas or where the virus is found. People are advised to avoid direct contact of animals like bats, gorillas, moneys and chimpanzee. When this is avoided, the virus can be contained and cannot reach human beings. Health care workers are advised to wear protective gear when treating people/patients that are infected with the virus. This may be through wearing gloves, mask and face shield like goggles.
The disease have the highest fatality level compared with other viruses. Its death rate is at 24% to 90% of the infected people. This have change with time, the current fatality rate ranges at 50%. This has raised much concern to the health sector and thus they are raising awareness to the people at high risk.