Ebola Virus Alert

Recent news about Ebola outbreaks has caused concern among many people. Although preventive vaccines were not widely available when these reports were published, it is important to understand how dangerous the Ebola virus can be and what to do if symptoms are suspected.

What is Ebola Virus Disease?

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), also known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, is a severe illness in humans caused by the Ebola virus. Symptoms typically appear between two days and three weeks after exposure to the virus. Early symptoms include fever, rash, muscle pain, and headache. These may later progress to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased liver and kidney function. At this stage, some patients may begin to experience internal and external bleeding.

Transmission and Diagnosis

The first outbreaks were believed to have originated from infected wild animals, such as monkeys and fruit bats. Fruit bats are thought to be natural hosts of the virus and may carry and spread the virus without becoming ill themselves.

The disease can spread from person to person through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected individual. Survivors may also continue to carry the virus for a period of time and potentially transmit it through sexual contact.

Ebola can be diagnosed through several laboratory tests, including antibody detection tests, antigen detection tests, and virus isolation from samples such as blood, saliva, vomit, feces, and other bodily fluids.

Prevention

Preventing Ebola involves reducing the transmission of the virus from infected animals to humans and limiting person-to-person spread. Monitoring animals for signs of infection and safely handling or disposing of infected carcasses can help reduce the risk of transmission.

Properly cooking animal products and wearing protective clothing when handling raw meat may also help prevent infection. Likewise, healthcare workers and caregivers should wear appropriate protective equipment and practice frequent hand hygiene when caring for infected individuals. Samples from suspected patients should be handled with extreme caution.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for Ebola. Supportive care remains the primary approach, including rehydration therapy administered orally or intravenously to help maintain fluid balance and support recovery.

The disease has a high mortality rate, which may reach up to 90% depending on the virus strain and the quality of medical care available.

A major outbreak occurred in West Africa between 2014 and early 2015, resulting in more than 11,000 deaths. This outbreak was one of the most severe in history. Future outbreaks remain possible, and efforts to develop effective vaccines and treatments continue worldwide.

Source

Bureau of Emerging Infectious Diseases (BEID)
Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand

http://beid.ddc.moph.go.th/media/factsheet_detail.php?id=19