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Why The World Is Serious About This Deadly Disease. And Why You Should Too....
Once every decade or so the world is plagued by an epidemic. People flutter in panic; thousands give up their routine lives and fill the hospital beds; and hundreds breathe their last.
Somewhere in the history of mankind, Black Death did the same. And today, the Ebola virus seems to repeat it.
Before progressing and getting to know what exactly is Ebola and what it does, let’s dip our feet into the past and know how and where the virus had originated.
The virus was first described in 1976, when the initial outbreak occurred in the Republic of Congo. The name of the virus was known to be derived from Ebola river, which was thought to be near the Republic of Congo. The first recorded case was a 44 year old school teacher who showed signs of malaria.
What Is Ebola?
To put it in a single sentence, Ebola is a merciless killer disease which takes away the lives of 90 percent of its victims. It is medically described as ‘hemorrhagic fever’, which has the capacity to result in multiple organ failure and cause extensive bleeding.
According to the WHO reports, 5 different strains of the Ebola virus have been discovered so far. Three of these strains have been associated with large outbreaks in Africa.
The fourth was discovered in Ivory Coast and wasn’t found to be fatal.
The fifth was discovered in a placed called Reston in the US state of Virginia.
The Symptoms
The Ebola disease has been dominating news space for all the wrong reasons.
The symptoms of this disease include:
- Sudden onset of high fever, severe weakness, muscle and headaches, and sore throat.
- Possibility of developing rashes, red eyes, chest pains and difficulty during swallowing or breathing.
- All these early symptoms might progress to vomiting, internal as well as external bleeding, disturbed kidney or liver functions.
The Treatment
Treatment for Ebola is still an unconscionable image in the minds of the medical fraternity. Despite the virus was discovered about four decades ago, the inability to come up with efficient treatment proves the deadliness of the disease.
However, patients are isolated and taken care of by health care workers. The patients are hydrated, their oxygen and blood pressure status are maintained, and are treated in order to prevent further contracting of infection.
Why Is The Disease Generating So Much Fear?
For obvious reasons. Ebola is known for its ruthless elimination of its victims. Over 90 percent of the victims haven’t come out alive in the history of the disease.
And there is something else that adds fuel to this fear. They are the much widespread myths.
- Stories have been circulating that consumption of salt water would actually cure Ebola. In reality, it does NOT. There have been cases when victims who had given in to such rumours had lost their lives upon drinking salt water.
- The locals believe the health care workers are carriers of the virus and tend to shun or pelt stones at them.
- Rumours that Ebola is airborne and spreads through casual contact is making the disease worse than it actually is.
The fear of being ostracized from their community discourages the victims or their families from admitting they are ill. There also have been anecdotes of secret burials of the victims, which seem to catalyse the fear.
All these myths are spreading faster than the virus itself.
How Does The Virus Spread?
It is believed that fruit bats are the main culprits. They might be the natural hosts of the virus, and are responsible for spreading it amongst other animals.
In humans, the virus spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals or other humans.
Especially health care workers have become victims of this disease; because of close contact with patients without the use of protective gear like masks, gloves or goggles.
How Can You Protect Yourself From The Virus?
There is no vaccine for Ebola that has been found yet. But that doesn’t make the virus unavoidable or its infection inevitable. Some basic safety precautions can help you protect yourself from the incidence of this lethal virus.
IF YOU ARE A HEALTH CARE WORKER
- Protective clothing is a must. Before handling an Ebola virus affected patient, make sure you have your masks, gloves, goggles and gowns on.
- Isolating patients is one of the best methods to prevent the disease from spreading. Keep the infected patients away from unprotected people.
- Keep in mind the various infection-control measures. Remember to completely sterilize the equipment before using, and use disinfectants as and when needed.
- Ensure that you keep away from items that may have come in contact with the body or bodily fluids of an infected person.
- Avoid hospitals where Ebola patients are undergoing treatment.
- After returning from an affected area, make it a point to monitor your health and check for the disease symptoms for 21 days. In case you observe any of the disease symptoms in you, immediately seek medical care.
IF YOU ARE A NORMAL CITIZEN
- Make sure you wash your hands every time before you eat; and use clean towels to wipe them.
- Don’t neglect in case you have any Ebola-like symptoms; and seek immediate medical help.
- Don’t panic or spread baseless rumours. Doing so will only increase fear and make the situation worse.
Whatever the epidemic is, how much ever widespread it is, and how many ever number of lives it would have taken, we all got to remember one thing.
Humanity has won against all. And it will do so again, against Ebola.
