What Ebola Is and Isn’t | WPN World People News

It’s hard to avoid the topic of Ebola conversation these days. It’s all over the news. Nothing creates a stir quite like the words “epidemic”, “outbreak”, or “plague”. Even though most scientific authorities aren’t using the more dramatic words (though outbreak, while somewhat dramatic, is apt), journalists and media outlets sure are making good use of the more heavy-handed adjectives.

If Newsies taught me anything, it’s that headlines don’t sell papes, newsies sell papes.

Okay, Ebola is scary, I’ll give you that. There are all kinds of unwelcome side effects which come from this disease, and with a possible 50% chance of dying once you get it, well, I can see why people are glaring at anyone who sneezes on the bus.

The truth of the matter is though, a lot of people only equate Ebola = deadly + dangerous, without knowing all the specifics. Even with the around-the-clock coverage, it’s hard to get “just the facts, ma’am” regarding this disease without being caught in the whirlwind of speculation and conjecture. Admittedly, even I didn’t know all there is to know about Ebola until I researched this article. I’m now aimed with facts, clarification, and few handy graphics to share with you.

Let’s start with the basics.

What is Ebola?

Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. Ebola can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees).

Ebola viruses are found in several African countries. Ebola was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically in Africa.

The natural reservoir host of Ebola virus remains unknown. However, on the basis of evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is animal-borne and that bats are the most likely reservoir. Four of the five virus strains occur in an animal host native to Africa.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Ebola?

•Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F)
•Severe headache
•Muscle pain
•Weakness
•Diarrhea
•Vomiting
•Abdominal (stomach) pain
•Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)

Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days.

Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.

How is Ebola Transmitted?

Because the natural reservoir host of Ebola viruses has not yet been identified, the manner in which the virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak is unknown. However, researchers believe that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal.

When an infection does occur in humans, the virus can be spread in several ways to others. Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth) with:
•blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola
•objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus
•infected animals

Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, by food. However, in Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats.

There is no evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only mammals (for example, humans, bats, monkeys, and apes) have shown the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus.

Healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients and the family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients are at the highest risk of getting sick because they may come in contact with infected blood or body fluids of sick patients.

During outbreaks of Ebola, the disease can spread quickly within healthcare settings (such as a clinic or hospital). Exposure to Ebola can occur in healthcare settings where hospital staff are not wearing appropriate protective equipment, including masks, gowns, and gloves and eye protection.

Once someone recovers from Ebola, they can no longer spread the virus. However, Ebola virus has been found in semen for up to 3 months. People who recover from Ebola are advised to abstain from sex or use condoms for 3 months.

Prevention

There is no FDA-approved vaccine available for Ebola. If you travel to or are in an area affected by an Ebola outbreak, make sure to do the following:
•Practice careful hygiene. For example, wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and avoid contact with blood and body fluids
•Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids (such as clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment)
•Avoid funeral or burial rituals that require handling the body of someone who has died from Ebola
•Avoid contact with bats and nonhuman primates or blood, fluids, and raw meat prepared from these animals
•Avoid hospitals where Ebola patients are being treated. The U.S. embassy or consulate is often able to provide advice on facilities
•After you return, monitor your health for 21 days and seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms of Ebola

Treatment

Symptoms of Ebola are treated as they appear. The following basic interventions, when used early, can significantly improve the chances of survival:
•Providing intravenous fluids (IV)and balancing electrolytes (body salts)
•Maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure
•Treating other infections if they occur

Experimental vaccines and treatments for Ebola are under development, but they have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness.

Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive care and the patient’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years, possibly longer.

It isn’t known if people who recover are immune for life or if they can become infected with a different species of Ebola. Some people who have recovered from Ebola have developed long-term complications, such as joint and vision problems.

Ensuring the Safety of U.S. Personnel

About 240 Defense Department personnel are currently in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, and another 108 are in nearby Senegal in support of U.S government efforts to stop the spread of the virus. More personnel are expected to flow into the region in the coming days, and AFRICOM leadership said that everything will be done to ensure their safety.

“By providing pre-deployment training, adhering to strict medical protocols while deployed and carrying out carefully planned reintegration measures based on risk and exposure,” said Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, the commander of U.S. Africa Command.

“I am confident that we can ensure our service members’ safety and the safety of their families and the American people.”

Rodriguez said the U.S. military could be deployed to Liberia in significant numbers for up to a year to support efforts led by the U.S. Agency for International Development to stop the spread of the virus.

The bottom line here is that Ebola, while dangerous and deadly, is not the zombie-apocalypse. It’s a real thing. It’s not something you can breathe or drink in (unless you’re a vampire I suppose, but that’s beside the point), but it is real, and it is affecting people. It is something worth understanding.

The Ebola epidemic is a top national security priority, said President Barack Obama at a recent news conference, and the United States will continue to do everything necessary to address it.

“I’m very grateful for the people who are on the front lines making this work. It’s a reminder once again of American leadership,” the president said. “But even with all the dedicated effort that our American personnel are putting in, they need to be joined by professionals from other countries who are putting up similar effort and similar resources. I hope they’re going to be paying attention over the next several weeks so we can get on top of this.”

Need more information? Check out the CDC’s Question and Answers about Ebola site.
Information and graphics provided by the Center for Disease Prevention
Check out information on current and past outbreaks here

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Jessica L. Tozer is the editor and blogger for Armed with Science. She is an Army veteran and an avid science fiction fan, both of which contribute to her enthusiasm for science and technology in the military.

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source: U.S. Department of Defense