What is Ebola?
Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease, which has various strains – the Ebola Zaire is known as the most dangerous.
What is the cause of Ebola?
The cause of the virus has never been identified and it is still not known how the first case jumped to humans. But researchers believe that the virus is animal-borne and that fruit bats are the most likely reservoir or host of the disease.
What are the symptoms?
The flu-like symptoms on average take eight to 10 days to appear after exposure to Ebola. They usually include high fever greater than 38.6C, severe headaches, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding that can appear from the eyes, nose, gums and even under the skin. Recovery depends on good healthcare systems and the patient’s immune response. Those who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.
How is it transmitted?
Public health officials said it can only be transferred via blood or other bodily fluids (saliva, perspiration, blood, mucus), although Tom Frieden, Director of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, earlier this year said it was not impossible for the virus to become airborne.
Can it be prevented?
Currently there is no vaccine but the use of ZMapp drug has been attributed to saving lives but it is still subject to clinical trials to establish its safety.
Treatment:
Patients need to be placed in isolation in intensive care and be given intravenous fluids to combat dehydration. Blood pressure and blood oxygen levels need to be stabilized to support the body’s organs, as it fights the disease.ZMapp is an experimental treatment that can be tried, although it has not yet been tested in humans for safety or effectiveness.
Am I at risk?
The likelihood of catching Ebola virus disease is considered very low unless you’ve travelled to a known infected area and had direct contact with a person with Ebola-like symptoms, or had contact with an infected animal or contaminated objects.
SUMMARY
· Symptoms include high fever, bleeding and central nervous system damage
· Spread by body fluids, such as blood and saliva
· Fatality rate can reach 90% – but current outbreak has mortality rate of about 70%
· Incubation period is two to 21 days
· There is no proven vaccine or cure
· Supportive care such as rehydrating patients who have diarrhoea and vomiting can help recovery.
· Fruit bats, a delicacy for some West Africans, are considered to be the virus’s natural host
PAALAALA SA ATING MGA KABABAYAN
Patuloy po tayong maging alerto at mag-ingat. Basahin natin ang mga ilang “tips” kung paano natin mapapangalagaan ang ating kalusugan:
Be Informed:
Monitor news reports, check websites and government advisories. Iwasan ang magbigay ng maling impormasyon.
Think Critically:
Focus on facts rather than opinion. Engage your critical thinking capacity, and cover all the factors, not just negative ones.
Wash your hands.
Maging malinis sa lahat ng oras. Viruses live on your hands, so it’s important to wash them for at least 20 seconds with soap and water whenever you use the bathroom and before you eat.
• If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Use enough to completely cover your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Viruses and bacteria can enter your body through these orifices.
Be healthy and take precautions.
Get enough sleep. Kailangan nating magpahingang mabuti upang hindi humina ang katawan. Eat and drink carefully, including lots of sealed bottled water. Eat a well-balanced diet.
Bump fists rather than shake hands or hug. Avoid handling or wipe down doorknobs, remotes, and anything touched by many. Stay out of places that harbor possible health problems. Stay away from people who are obviously sick. When a sick person coughs or sneezes, they can spread a virus, including influenza, up to six feet through their droplets.
Take Your Vitamins and Stay Hydrated. Uminom ng vitamins upang mapalakas ang pangangatwan at laging uminom ng tubig.
Cough or Sneeze into a tissue. Avoid coughing and sneezing into your hand because it helps germs travel—germs from your hand will transfer to whatever surface you touch next. Cough or sneeze into a tissue instead, then throw the tissue away and wash your hands immediately afterward.
Speak Up. Magpunta agad sa doctor kung masama ang pakiramdam. Huwag mahiya o matakot magpaalam sa employer upang mapangalagaan ang kalusugan.
Makipag ugnayan sa Embahada kung may mga katanungan. Tingnan din po ang aming facebook page para sa mga updates. Eto po ang aming contact details:
Embajada de Filipinas
C/Eresma, 2
28002 Madrid
Tel: 917-823-830
Fax: 914-116-606
Emergency Hotline: 616-491-861
Website: www.philembassymadrid.com
Facebook: Philippine Embassy Madrid