Things you should know about the Ebola virus

A lot of speculations have been going around about the deadly Ebola virus due to its recent outbreak in Guinea, West Africa. According to WHO (World health Organization), over 70 people have died since the outbreak of the disease in the country. There have been some confirmed reports of the outbreak in other cities including the main capital of Guinea. 

However, these are some of the things you should know about this virus.

1.       According to WHO, it was tagged ‘’the most virulent disease known to human kind’’. Virulent can also mean aggressive, angered, and ruthless. In case you are having a hard time understanding the word.

2.       The virus can kill almost 90 % of the people who are infected with it. This is because the disease progress in an astonishing fast pace.

3.       In most cases, the disease outbreak happens in remote places, villages near tropical rain forest. Common in the west and central Africa.

4.       The origin of the virus can be traced to Democratic republic of Congo, where it was first discovered in 1976 in Nzara. It was named after the Ebola River, since the outbreak was traced from it.

5.       The virus is transferrable via human and animals alike. Most times, bodily fluid and contacts. Some species of bats are well known carrier of this virus. Called fruit bats.

6.       Early signs which are common do appear after 21 days of being infected. Symptoms include rashes, red eyes. Early staged of diagnosis are therefore hard as normal persons can have rashes or red eyes. We have that most times. Especially during hot weather conditions.

7.       The virus therefore paralyzes the immune system due to its spread in the blood.

Other hash symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, rash, low kidney and liver function. Some reported cases have seen internal and external bleeding; likely in the nose or when passing urine.

8.       Unfortunately, not treatment or vaccine has been made available yet. Most persons who have had this virus are mostly contained or quarantined to stop the further spread of the disease.

So, if you have your family in west or Central Africa, please do tell them to be careful. In most cases, the embassies would have issued traveling safety warning to the passengers.

reference

: WHO