Ebola Virus Disease: An Emerging Global Health Challenge
Dr. Ankitha Teja Narayan, Attending Consultant – Internal Medicine, KIMS Hospitals, Electronic City, Bengaluru.
Ebola is a virus known to cause the deadliest disease and a threat to humanity. The disease emerged in 1976 near the Ebola river in the Democratic Republic of Congo, hence the name. It is also called the Sudan Virus. It was mainly confined to African Countries with several outbreaks. But it has now become a new global pandemic.
Ebola spreads mainly through direct contact with the infected person’s body fluids, such as blood, saliva, urine, and sweat. It can also spread through contaminated needles, medical equipment, or clothing. Unlike influenza or COVID, this virus does not spread through air droplets. The natural hosts of the Ebola virus are fruit bats.
The initial symptoms of Ebola are fever, headache, severe muscle pain, and generalised weakness. Additional symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes on the skin, and internal and external bleeding. As the disease progresses, it can lead to multi-organ failure and death. The case fatality rate is high in Ebola compared to other common viral infections. Symptoms usually appear between 2- 21 days after the exposure.
There have been several outbreaks within the African Countries, claiming the lives of many people, which has troubled the healthcare system to manage the crisis. There is no cure for the disease, but if diagnosed early, supportive treatment can improve survival.
In recent years, vaccines have been developed that have played a vital role in preventing outbreaks.
Prevention is the key! Practising safe hand hygiene, use of protective equipment by healthcare workers, isolation protocols, safe burial practices, public awareness about the nature of the disease, and preventive aspects play a crucial role.
In conclusion, Ebola is not a new virus, it is not just a medical challenge but also a social and economic challenge. Although the disease has frightened people globally, preventing panic and misinformation during outbreaks plays a crucial role.
Global cooperation and better preparedness can significantly improve the ability to tackle outbreaks and prevent future epidemics.
