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Although Ebola virus is mostly concentrated in West Africa, chances of the deadly disease entering the Philippines is not unlikely. With thousands of overseas Filipino workers coming in and out of the Philippines every day, the likelihood of the epidemic coming to our country is of paramount concern, according to President Benigno Aquino III.
SEE ALSO: Aquino: Prevention of Ebola Virus Spread a Top Priority in the Philippines
Before you panic, be informed and be prepared. Here are some facts you need to know about Ebola virus:
1. The Origin
Wondering what caused this deadly disease? It is actually brought about by an RNA virus that infects wild animals such as monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees, fruit bats as well as humans. The source of the infectious disease originated from contact with the infected animal’s blood or body fluids.
2. History
The first outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurred in 1976 in Democratic Republic of Congo. The term “Ebola” was coined from the name of the river near the village where it occurred. About 88% of 318 Ebola patients died during that outbreak.
3. Symptoms
Symptoms of the deadly virus include fever greater than 38.6 degrees Celsius, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, abdominal pain, and unexplained bleeding. These symptoms may manifest between 2 to 21 days after exposure to the virus but the average is 8 to 10 days.
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4. Transmission
The highly contagious disease is spread through contact with blood or body fluids such as saliva, urine, feces, sweat, vomit, semen, and breastmilk. You can also get infected if you come in contact with objects such as needles and syringes contaminated by Ebola virus. In Africa, improper handling of bushmeat and contact with infected bats can also cause the spread of the virus.
5. Death rate
As of October 2014, the death rate of the current Ebola outbreak is 70%, according to the World Health Organization.
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6. Treatment
Chances of a patient’s survival can be significantly improved by doing the following interventions: hydrating by providing intravenous fluids and balancing electrolytes; maintaining blood pressure and oxygen status; and treating other complicating infections.
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7. Vaccine
Currently, there is no available vaccine or cure for Ebola virus but there are already experimental vaccines being developed. These have not been tested in humans for effectiveness or safety.
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8. Ebola Survivors
Once a person recovers from Ebola, he or she can no longer transmit the virus. However, Ebola virus stays in the semen for up to 3 months that’s why safe sex should be practised. Although Ebola survivors develop antibodies for the virus for up to ten years, it is not yet determined if they can get infected with another strain or Ebola or they become immune for life.
9. Current Outbreak
The current Ebola epidemic in West African region particularly in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea is considered the biggest and worst outbreak in history. Over 4,400 people out of 8,900 recorded cases have died from the current outbreak.
10. Controlling the Outbreak
The potential spread of the virus could be stopped by isolating infected people as well as tracking and isolating people who came in contact with infected people. The public should also receive proper education about the epidemic. By keeping yourself healthy, regularly washing your hands, and avoiding stressful activities, you can actually combat this disease.
