HEALTH
By Befitbu Health Desk May 9, 2024
Deadly Viral Disease
1.
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe illness caused by the Ebola virus, often fatal.
Transmission Dynamics
2.
Spread occurs through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
Incubation Period
3.
Ebola's incubation ranges from 2 to 21 days, during which transmission can occur without symptoms.
Symptoms Spectrum
4.
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hemorrhage.
Diagnostic Tests
5.
Lab tests detect Ebola in blood or bodily fluids using rapid tests or PCR assays.
Treatment & Supportive Care
6.
Supportive care, like fluids and electrolytes, improves outcomes; no specific antiviral treatment exists.
Experimental Treatments
7.
Research on therapies like antibodies and antivirals is ongoing.
Prevention Strategies
8.
Prevention involves early detection, isolation, contact tracing, infection control, safe burial practices, and community education.
Vaccine Development
9.
Promising vaccines like rVSV-ZEBOV and Ad26.ZEBOV/MVA-BN-Filo are being used in response and prevention efforts.
Outbreak Response & Preparedness
10.
Swift, coordinated responses, community engagement, and international collaboration are crucial for controlling outbreaks and preventing further spread.