EBOLA VIRUS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Ebola virus disease?

(Formerly Ebola haemorrhagic fever)- a severe, often fatal illness, with a DEATH RATE OF UP TO 90%. •Affects humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). • 1st appeared in 1976 in a village near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and also in a remote area of Sudan. •Origin of the virus unknown but FRUIT BATS are considered the likely host

What is Ebola virus disease?

IT IS MORE DEADLY THAN HIV/AIDS!!!!

How do people become infected?

• ANIMAL TO MANCLOSE CONTACT with the BLOOD, SECRETIONS, ORGANS or other BODY FLUIDS of INFECTED ANIMALS.• MAN TO MANDIRECT CONTACT (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, or other body fluids or secretions (stool, urine, saliva, semen) of INFECTED PEOPLE. • INFECTED ENVIRONMENT TO MAN• Contact with soiled clothing, beddings, needles/utensils etc

Who is MOST at risk?

•health workers• family members or others in close contact with infected people•mourners who have direct contact with the bodies of the deceased as part of burial ceremonies•hunters in the rain forest who come into contact with dead animals found lying in the forest.

What are typical signs and symptoms of infection?

• fever• intense weakness •muscle pain •headache• sore throat

• vomiting •diarrhoea • rash• impaired kidney and liver function• internal bleeding• external bleeding.

When should someone seek medical care?

•Contact with infected person•Suggestive symptoms or signs

What is the treatment?

•NO CURE.•Supportive treatment – 10% of patients may survive.

Can Ebola be prevented?

•NO PROVEN VACCINE•INCREASE AWARENESS•AVOID CONTACT WITH INFECTED ANIMALS/HUMANS – LIVE OR DEAD.•CREMATION (BURNING) OF THE DEAD BODIES•PRACTICE PROPER HAND WASHING WITH SOAP AND WATER

What about health workers?

• ISOLATION OF INFECTED PATIENTS•Strict adherence to standard health precautions•Strict infection control measures•Avoid exposure to secretions etc•PERSONAL PROTECTION – appropriate gloves, masks, goggles, clothing etc•Proper disposal of infected materials •CLOSE MONITORING. etc

Is it safe to travel during an outbreak?

•Better to RESTRICT TRAVEL to reduce risk of spread/catching the disease.