The Ebola Virus: Causes and Preventive Measures

With the recent outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, there is a lot of concern in African countries because of the mutation of the virus.  For years now it had only been seen in central Africa; this is the first time the disease will cross borders into the western part of Africa. There are risks factors that have continued to aid the spread of the disease and unfortunately we are not immune to it as a result of our porous borders, lack of screening equipment and quarantine zones at ports of entries, a lack of awareness, and denial amongst Nigerians about the reality of the disease. The Ebola Virus is highly contagious and has accounted for the deaths of 481 people in the three affected countries. It is deadlier than HIV and should not be taken lightly. Ebola is primarily caused by a virus and has pigs and bats as reservoir hosts. A person can be infected via bites or by consumption in cases of inadequate cooking and that infected person (dead or alive) becomes the host and can infect others who come in contact with the body fluids; semen, breast milk, sputum, urine, or blood. The symptoms of Ebola mimic that of a flu and malaria and they include a sudden onset of fever, muscle pain, cough, sore throat, headache and vomiting.  After the entire exhibition of these symptoms, there is a condition which stops normal clotting of the blood thus leading to internal and external bleeding. The incubation period is between 13-25 days depending on the individual. The continual spread of Ebola has also been attributed to African cultural practices where families have group mourning and do not release bodies for autopsies plus a general denial of the existence of the Ebola virus. To prevent the contraction of this deadly disease, the avoidance of consuming bush meat cannot be overemphasized.  The improvement of sanitary conditions, washing of hands and clothes, and adequate cooking of foods will also help reduce the risks of contraction. The government is advised to increase the awareness of the National Orientation Agency so the populace can be knowledgeable about the deadly Ebola virus. Nigerians are generally not health conscious and hardly go for medical checkups aside from when it’s mandatory. It is advised that citizens be alert and report cases to the nearest health centre or hospital.  Please report cases of suspicious ailments immediately and do note that according to the national health bill, private hospitals must attend to all emergencies.

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This article was first published on 8th July 2014

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