- Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever
Ebola is a new infection which has been rather feared and little is known. Daily we hear updated news of the spread and mortality rate of infection, though there were cases of recovery, few in numbers.
Ebola was discovered sometimes in the mid-1970s. Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever is named after a river in Congo (formerly known as Zaire) When infected, severe and fatal disease develops. Though little is known, bats seem the cause of this deadly virus.
Transmitted originally from bats to human, and those infected gradually transmit to family members, people in contact and hospital staff, and the infected individuals spread to others.
Besides being infected by people with the infection, humans can be infected by consumption of meat with Ebola virus.
Symptoms
Ebola symptoms surface from seven to ten days with fever, sore throat, headache and pain in the muscles and joints. After the onset of the symptoms, as the disease progresses, symptoms of gastrointestinal, chest pain, rash and decrease in cognitive ability occurs.
Bleeding from any orifice and into the skin occurs about the same time. Skin haemorrhages are prominent near the rash areas, though there are instances where a few patients died without developing haemorrhages. Most death from Ebola virus is due to extreme liver and lungs damages.
Ebola symptoms are not easily distinguishable from those of other infections, as it can only be diagnosed in a known outbreak. Once identified, laboratory tests are done. With early detection, the virus can be isolated, specific antibodies are detected during the tests, as the virus could be active only at a later stage of the disease.
Due to variations in different virus in different geographical areas, mortality rate though high do differs, too.
No specific treatments for Ebola virus. Patients require intensive care with good oxygenation, fluid maintenance, blood pressure control and if possible prevent complication of other bacterial infections. Thus as much as possible avoid contact with infected people and going to bats enclosures or habitat.
- Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever
Marburg virus is the same viral family as Ebola virus, as the transmission and characteristics are similar. Marburg infection was first recognised in the 1960 when the outbreak took place from Marburg in Germany. The virus seems to have originated from Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Congo and Angola.
In 2004 – 2005, the largest epidemics occurred among gold miners from the African regions, where 90% of the infected people died. Hypothetically, it is believed the bat is also the cause of Marburg though not proven. People are infected accidentally, and unknowingly pass on to those in contact.
They known symptoms such as pancreatic pains, jaundice due to liver damage, weight loss and cognitive impairment and health care Marburg hemorrhagic fever, like Ebola virus high mortality rate and detecting the antibodies is very important.
Precautions
During epidemic, health precaution is crucial to minimise the spread of infection. Avoid contact with infected people and clustered infected areas. When caring for the infected people, like hospital personnel, wear masks, gloves, goggles, gowns. Ensure needles and syringes are not reused to minimise contamination and proper disposal of them.
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