What Everybody Ought to Know About Ebola

Health is a real luxury especially here in Africa. While Ebola is raging a war against the people of West Africa we thought to share some facts about this deadly disease.

Facts

  • Majority of Africans don’t have access to health facilities or doctors
  • Majority of Africans don’t have access to health information
  • Majority of Africans are not educated about their bodies
  • Majority of Africans don’t know or don’t practice proper hygiene standards
  • Washing your hands is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases but many people in Africa don’t have access to clean running water and soap to properly wash hands.

Unlike the other communicable diseases – HIV, Cholera, TB – that Africans have to deal with and take the lives of many Africans, there is no cure for Ebola and 50% or more of those that contact Ebola die.

Who is most at risk?

Those at risk during an outbreak include:

  • health workers
  • family members or others in close contact with infected people
  • mourners with direct contact with the bodies of deceased victims
  • hunters in contact with dead animals

What are the typical signs and symptoms?

Sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. That is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and internal and external bleeding.

The incubation period is between two and 21 days. A person will become contagious once they start to show symptoms.

When should you seek medical care?

If a person is in an area affected by the outbreak, or has been in contact with a person known or suspected to have Ebola, they should seek medical help immediately.

What is the treatment?

Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. They need intravenous fluids to rehydrate them.

But there is currently no specific treatment for the disease. Some patients will recover with the appropriate care.

Can Ebola be prevented?

Currently there is no licensed vaccine for Ebola. Several are being tested but are not available for clinical use.

Is it safe to travel to affected areas?

The World Health Organization reviews the public health situation regularly, and recommends travel or trade restrictions if necessary. The risk of infection for travellers is very low since person-to-person transmission results from direct contact with bodily fluids of victims.

How can you help?

  • Sign the petition to Fast track Drug and vaccine research for Ebola Hemorrhagic fever. Health campaigners have petitioned U.S. authorities, calling for the Food and Drug Administration to fast-track their approval of a new Ebola drug, which could be the first cure for the disease
  • Donate
  • Ebola according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is current a  world health epidemic. It is not just a West African problem. You can help by keeping informed about Ebola and sharing the facts about Ebola.

 

Jim-Iyke-July3

Nigerian actor Jim Iyke posted this picture on his Instagram account, revealing he had cut short a business trip to Liberia over fears the Ebola virus is spreading in the West African country

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