THE EBOLA CRISIS

What is Ebola?

Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever

(EHF) is a disease of humans and other primates caused by the Ebola virus. The symptoms start suddenly, often between 2 to 21 days after being infected.

symptoms

early

High fever FatigueMuscle

sorenessHeadaches Sore throat

late

Nausea/vomiting

Internal and external bleeding

Skin rash DiarrheaAbdominal

pain

How it spreads

You are not likely to catch Ebola just by being in proximitywith someone that has the virus. It is not airborne, like

the flu.The virus spreads through contact with infected animals,

infected human bodily fluids (when the person is symptomatic) and contaminated environments.

Infected animals

Chimpanzees

Fruit bats Forest antelopes

BODILY FLUIDS

Saliva, sweat

and spermVomit PeeStool Blood

Contaminated environments

Infected objectsBodies of Ebola

victims

precautions

Ebola kills between 50 and 90%of those infected with it. Because there is no vaccine

against the disease, it’s important to inform the affected

communities and encourage behavioral changes to minimize the risk of contamination.

• Wash hands frequently• Wear protective equipment when

necessary

• Eat raw meat• Touch shared objects (e.g. towels)

DO’sDOnt’

s

Treatment

The treatment is of support, aimed at the actual symptoms. Whoever has those symptoms should keep

themselves isolated and seek immediate professional help. The earlier the treatment starts

the better the chance of survival.

The most common treatment, sinceEbola causes severe dehydration.

Experimental drugs where successfulin some cases, but ineffective in others.

Iv fluidsNew

drugs

2014 outbreak

From a remote area of south-eastern Guinea, the virushas spread to the capital, Conakry, and from there to the neighbor countries Liberia and Sierra Leone. By the end

of July a man who flew from Liberia to Lagos died soon after

arrival - that’s how the virus spread to Nigeria

© BRIGHT 2014