The Ebola epidemic in Nigeria has come to be
the dread of everyone at the moment as a cure is yet to be found and so like
HIV/AIDS the Ebola virus disease has
become another name to dread.
Ebola virus was
first isolated in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has since spread
to other countries especially those in the tropical region of Sub-Saharan
Africa affecting Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria.
The signs and
symptoms of Ebola begin with influenza like stages characterized by fatigue,
fever, headache, joint, muscle pain and abdominal pain. As it worsens there may
be cases of bleedings from puncture sites and mucous membrane (Nose, Vagina, and
gum). The bleeding may be internal and if care is not taken death may occur due
to multiple organ dysfunctions.
Human to human
transmission is via direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected patient
alive or dead, or by objects contaminated by the virus. However, Much needs to be
done by the members of the public; do not get in contact with bodily fluids once
the person exhibits the symptoms listed above, avoid ingestion of bush meat of
any kind as they have been traced to be the reservoir of the virus, also
personal hygiene should be taken seriously as this is the only way to protect
oneself. Frequent handwashingafter the use of the toilet and before eating, and
finally employ the use of handsanitizers.
Nevertheless,
measures are being taken to curb the spread of the disease by tracking the
disease and also by quarantining infected persons. The WHO (World Health
Organization) is also working on means of developing a vaccine that will help
in the treatment of the ebola virus.
As of now there is no known cure for the virus but research is being carried
out by the day for a vaccine that will invoke immune reaction to the ebola virus.
Until a vaccine is
made there is need for members of the public to be better informed and in cases
of suspicious symptoms such persons should report to the nearest health center
for proper test and surveillance as this is the only means of putting the
mortality rate in check.
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