The Ebola Outbreak

Deadly Viruses and You: Everything you need to know about the Ebola Outbreak

Written by: 

Caolan Disini, Year 13

It is commonly accepted that, when in a crisis, staying calm and thinking clearly is your best bet at getting through unscathed. Knowledge is power. This is why you should know more about Ebola, the latest viral outbreak in Africa that has the potential to boom out of control. Although current figures number the infected at approximately 7,000, this number can grow even further if left unchecked. In short, if nothing is done soon, the Ebola virus is a global catastrophe just waiting to happen.

Firstly, let’s go through some information on Ebola and the current outbreak in Africa. Despite there only having been a limited number of outbreaks and casualties compared to other viruses, Ebola is one of the most virulent diseases known to man. This is due to its high mortality rate, which in some cases can reach up to 90%, and the fact that it has no known cure. Infections occur as a result of direct skin contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual, which includes the sharing of water or other fluids; luckily, however, Ebola is not airborne. Yet, the virus still remains on dead bodies, making funerals or other funerary cultural practices that witness a gathering of individuals dangerous. Once infected by the disease, the virus incubates inside the body for 2-21 days, during which time the host is not infectious in any way. Symptoms only manifest once the virus has finished its incubation period. These include fever, headaches, vomiting, and, most notably, internal and external bleeding.

The Ebola virus that is spreading in Western Africa at the moment is called the Zaire Ebola Virus, the most dangerous of the Ebola strains. Yes, unfortunately there is more than one virus that can cause Ebola. As well as being the most lethal, it is responsible for the vast majority of Ebola outbreaks since its discovery. Currently, it is responsible for the deadliest outbreak to date. The first recorded case originated from Guinea on December 2013, and in the span of 9 months, the disease had spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Nigeria. The spread of this virus can be attributed to the lack of information received by understaffed healthcare services in the area, as well as improperly handled medical procedures. Furthermore, the cultural aspect of funerals in African society unwittingly spreads the disease even further when many funeral-goers make physical contact with the dead and unknowingly contract Ebola.

The current procedures being undertaken by the World Health Organization and various governments highlight the severity of the outbreak: one method involves monitoring all the people who are believed to have come into contact with the virus for 21 days. Although very effective in a small outbreak, it requires a vast amount of manpower to watch everybody who might have the disease – not to mention the education such personnel would require to be able to spot Ebola symptons in order to avoid getting infected themselves. Now, with almost 7,000 cases, this task may do little to help the current crisis. Luckily, however, the current quarantine procedures being enacted in Liberia are proving to be very effective. The rushed development of two separate treatments provide a glimmer of hope for those who are at risk of being infected by the disease.

So what happens if Ebola comes knocking your door? The first thing you should do is not have any contact with a person you believe to be exhibiting signs of Ebola. This sounds heartless, but the only way that Ebola spreads is through direct skin contact. The best thing you can do is to notify a health official about a case, as they are better equipped at treating the disease. However, if you are unable to do that, you should keep the infected individual hydrated to increase survival rates, as they are very prone to dehydration. When treating someone with Ebola, always wear protective gear, especially those that protect the hands and the eyes. Be aware... it is not recommended that you treat people with Ebola.

Related Items Science