The news is full of the Ebola outbreak in Western Africa. Over 700 hundred people have died from it so far and more than 1300 have been infected. It started in February of this year in Guinea. Healthcare workers from all over are traveling there to try to contain the epidemic and find a way to treat those afflicted. Many fear the spread of the disease. In the early stages, it can mimic other diseases that are common in that region, such as malaria and thus be missed
So, what is Ebola?
1. It is a virus that infects humans and is transmitted by coming in contact with the bodily fluids of animals who are infected. Fruit bats are considered to be its natural host.
2. It is also known as hemorrhagic fever and this is the most dangerous aspect of the disease. All patients who are infected with Ebola have some extent of coagulopathy. Bleeding can occur in many sites throughout the body but the most common site is the GI tract.
3. Symptoms typically start 2 days to 3 weeks after exposure. This is one of the reasons it has been so difficult to contain. People who are infected do not show symptoms right away. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased functioning of the liver and kidneys and eventually bleeding.
4. Once a human is infected, it can then be spread from person to person through exposure to bodily fluids or blood. Direct contact is required. Many have become infected while preparing a victim’s body for burial.
5. As stated above, Ebola can mimic other more common diseases, such as malaria, cholera, meningitis and many others. It is important to make a distinction. However, with the current epidemic, Ebola needs to remain high on the differential diagnosis list. The mortality for Ebola can approach 90% for those afflicted. There are several test that can be run on a patient’s blood to confirm the diagnosis. The sample needs to be handled as an extreme biohazard and there have been some healthcare workers who have been infected.
6. There is no vaccine available to prevent Ebola, although it is being tested.
7. There is no specific treatment available. Patients require intensive supportive care and fluids to avoid dehydration. Also, careful blood pressure management needs to be maintained.
8. The best way to prevent spread of this virus is by keeping those infected isolated and quarantined. This is not working in West Africa because people do not have trust in the hospitals and are keeping the sick at home. And the infrastructure of the hospitals there is not so able to keep up with this disease.
Many fear the virus will spread to the U.S. However, this is very unlikely. While theoretically someone infected could travel here, that is very unlikely. Additionally, the CDC has put doctors and hospitals on alert and any patients traveling from that area exhibiting any symptoms will be isolated. Hospitals here are better quipped to handle critical patients.
Will this current outbreak of Ebola has claimed many victims, many heroes have also rose up. Two American healthcare workers who have been infected are being flown home on a private plane to receive treatment in the U.S. They will be placed in isolation so there is very little risk of the virus to be spread. With the aid of these true heroes who are putting their lives at risk, hopefully this current epidemic can be contained and research started on a cure and possibly a vaccine.
