Ebola Virus
Ebola Virus
·
It’s called “Ebola” because first cases reported
near Ebola River in Congo back in mid
70s.
·
Ebola virus, causes hemorrhagic fever. Death rate
upto 90%
· Symptoms: fever, gum-bleeding, nose-bleeding, red
spots on body, blood in stool and vomit.
· Similar symptoms seen in malaria, cholera, typhoid
etc. Hence need to perform ELISA test or other Antigen detection tests to
confirm Ebola.
·
Affects: humans, monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees.
Myths & Truths
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Ebola: Myths & Truths
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Spreads Through
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Does not spread through
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* Fruit bats
considered to be natural hosts of this virus.
* Virus spread
from wild animals like primates, bats, antelopes and porcupines to people.
* Then from
people to people via blood and secretions.
* Even by
physical contact with dead body!
* Even via semen
/ sexual intercourse- 7 weeks after recovery.
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* By Air-unlike
flu (Stanford Univ)
* Mosquito bite
* Money, swimming
pool, groceries
* Ebola easily
killed by soap, bleach, sunlight or drying. (says PIB website)
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(Source: The
Hindu & The New Indian Express)
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Nations affected
(i) Guinea
(ii) Liberia
(iii) Sierra Leone
(iv) Nigeria
(v) Senegal
Ebola Treatment
·
Several vaccines are being tested, but none are
available for clinical use.
·
WHO had allowed use of experimental drugs to save
lives but it is not successful yet.
·
World and UNICEF donated supplies worth million$.
·
In India, the tourist returning from the affected
countries are being observed for symptoms and their blood is being tested. So
far everyone is healthy.
Operation Octopus 2014
Ø Launched by Sierra Leone
Ø To fight against Ebola Virus
Operation United Assistance
Ø Launched by USA
Ø To help the countries that are affected by Ebola Virus
[Similarly, USA also launched “Operation Unified Assistance” in 2004 to
help for Indian Ocean Tsunami]
WHO declares Ebola as “International Health
Emergency”
·
A Public Health Emergency of International Concern
(PHEIC) is a formal declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO)
promulgated by that body's Emergency Committee operating under International
Health Regulations (IHR) of a public health crisis of potentially global reach.
·
As a legally binding international instrument on
disease prevention, surveillance, control, and response adopted by 194
countries
·
PHEIC so far for:
I.
April 2009 – when the H1N1 (or Swine Flu) pandemic
was still in Phase Three
II.
May 2014 – resurgence of polio after its
near-eradication, deemed "an extraordinary event
III.
August 08, 2014 – the World Health Organization
declared its third Public Health Emergency of International Concern in response
to the outbreak of Ebola in Western Africa
G.K. Trivia: About WHO and World Health Day
World Health
Organization (WHO)
·
specialized agency of the United Nations (UN)
·
Formed: April 07, 1948
·
HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
·
Main responsibility: was to help anybody in need of
medical assistance
·
Chief of WHO (Director General of WHO): Dr. Margaret
Chan
{7th Director General of WHO; Assumed office on Jan 04, 2007}
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