Ebola Virus (or Ebola Haemorrhagic Disease) was first seen in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976 near the Ebola River, hence the name given to the virus. Since then outbreaks have been seen sporadically over the years in humans and now with the recent outbreak in West Africa, there is again lots of talk about this devastating disease.

All cases of human illness or death from Ebola Virus on record have been in Africa, with the exception of 3 separate laboratory contaminations, one in England and two in Russia and now the two US healthcare workers brought back to the US for experimental treatment after they became sick during the recent outbreak. Past outbreaks have affected the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Uganda, South Sudan, the Ivory Coast, Republic of the Congo and South Africa. The most recent outbreak has affected Guinea. Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

The current outbreak of Ebola Virus in Africa is possibly the worst in recorded history, with over 1300 confirmed cases and another 1200 suspected cases. Ninety percent of these people who are infected will die. The previous outbreak was in 2012 in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and there were only 40 recorded deaths.

There is still so little known about Ebola Virus, that currently there is no proven cure or vaccine. Scientists are yet to understand just how humans contract the disease, but it is hypothesized that it is zoonotic (animal-borne) and the reservoir/host animal most likely to pass it to humans is bats. It is thought to be spread to a single human by an encounter with an infected animal; the human then unknowingly proceeds to spread it amongst their community.

Sadly this lack of understanding and knowledge leaves us largely unable to establish primary prevention measures, which would help to prevent further outbreaks. We also cannot treat the disease itself, instead we merely try to manage the symptoms and offer supportive care by

Balancing patients fluids and electrolytes
Maintaining oxygen stats and blood pressure
Treating for complicating infections

There is currently one experimental drug, “ZMapp”, which until now was untested on humans, being trialled on the two US healthcare workers recently infected in Africa and it appears to be having some success. The American Department of Defence and 2 pharmaceutical companies in the US are working on a vaccine and a more effective treatment for those infected, but these are still a long way from being tested on humans.

Ebola first presents like a lot of diseases, with common symptoms like fever, severe headache, muscle pain and weakness, diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. This will then progress to blood red eyes and a severe, all over body rash, before becoming a haemorrhagic condition of the whole body, resulting in severe internal and external bleeding and organ failure. Symptoms generally appear anywhere between 2-21 days after exposure to the virus, most commonly 8-10 days after.

The virus is spread through blood and other bodily fluids like saliva, vomit, faeces, urine and semen. As some of the very first symptoms are vomiting and diarrhoea and people are contagious as soon as symptoms start to present, one person can infect their entire family, or an entire ward in a hospital or health clinic in a matter of hours. Even deceased patients are still highly contagious and extreme care must be taken with body preparation and burial to prevent further spread.

We can only hope that one day soon modern medicine will catch up with horrible diseases like this one and they will become a distant memory.

If you become concerned about any symptoms please seek immediate medical attention we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information. All information provided is correct at time of publication.

Sources

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/