The history of Ebola virus began in Africa .
It is named after River Ebola, which runs through Democratic Republic of the Congo .
It is therefore first and foremost.
A challenge to African scientists. It is a shame that since
1976, when the first virus was defined not much effort has been made to get a
certified cure for it.
Ebola is extremely infectious but not extremely contagious.
It is infectious, because an infinitesimally small amount can cause illness.
Laboratory experiments on nonhuman primates suggest that even a single virus
may be enough to trigger a fatal infection.
Instead, Ebola could be considered moderately contagious,
because the virus is not transmitted through the air. The most contagious
diseases, such as measles or influenza, virus particles are airborne.
Humans can be infected by other humans if they come in
contact with body fluids from an infected person or contaminated objects from
infected persons. Humans can also be exposed to the virus, for example, by
butchering infected animals.
While the exact reservoir of Ebola viruses is still unknown,
researchers believe the most likely natural hosts are fruit bats.
Symptoms of Ebola typically include: weakness, fever, aches,
diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. Additional experiences include rash, red
eyes, chest pain, throat soreness, difficulty breathing or swallowing and
bleeding (including internal).
Typically, symptoms appear 8-10 days after exposure to the
virus, but the incubation period can span two to 21 days.
Prevention
includes sanitized hands. When peeling
fruits ensure that there is no contact with the body fluid of infected persons through coughing , sneezing or
sweating.
All Governments in
affected West African countries must remind its citizens
That WHO has stated
that 60% of Ebola virus transmissions take place during burials. It is right
therefore that the government of Nigeria has banned corpse
transportation over long distances.
The Catholic Church in
some Diocese in Nigeria ,
banned corpse being brought into the church during funerals. In addition, for
the first time, Holy Communion was being received with the hand, as approved by
bishop’s Conference.
Apart from some
Airlines which have banned flights to Liberia
and Sierra Leone .
Many African Governments have sought to isolate, Sierra
Leone , Guinea
and Liberia , for example,
Sierra Leone Football Association planned to go ahead, with upcoming Africa Cup
of Nation’s qualifier in Abidjan ,
with its 20 man squad consisting of players from abroad. Moreover, the spread
of the virus to Senegal and
WHO warning that up to 20,000 cases could be reported and this would mean more
restrictions expected ahead of Nations Cup finals in Morocco
On the whole, many
Nigerians are taking necessary precaution. Some have turned the occasion into humor.
People no longer hug or shake hands but stand still and say “Ebola Greetings “.Some
Nigerians pronounce Ebola as” Egbula” which in local parlance is “Do not kill”
Apart from these measures, the international community needs
to do more.
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, a Canadian drug maker contracted by
the US Food and Drug Administration, is researching and seems to have made
progress on how to target the genetic material of the virus. The efforts of the
manufacturer of Zmapp, on the other hand, are geared towards boosting the
immune system of afflicted persons to fight off the virus.
It is our hope that President Jonathan’s appointed research
team in Nigeria
will build on what these two organizations have done and develop a cure for the
deadly disease. In my view, the epidemic cannot be said to have been confined
to West African sub region. It is only resurfacing in 2014.Before now strands
of the virus were detected in a pig farm
in far away Philippines ,
The current WHO
statistics revealed in 2014 indicate clear International dimension.
2014 Outbreak:
Confirmed or suspected cases of Ebola as of August 26, 2014
(World Health Organization):
March 25, 2014 - The CDC issues its initial announcement on
an outbreak in Guinea , and
reports of cases in Liberia
and Sierra Leone .
"In Guinea ,
a total of 86 suspected cases, including 59 deaths (case fatality ratio: 68.5%),
had been reported as of March 24, 2014. Preliminary results from the Pasteur
Institute in Lyon , France
April 16, 2014 - The New England Journal of Medicine publishes a report, speculating that the current outbreak's Patient Zero was a
two-year-old from Guinea
July 2014 - Patrick Sawyer, a top government official in the Liberian
Ministry of Finance, dies at a local Nigerian hospital. He is the first
American to die in what officials are calling "deadliest Ebola outbreak in history."
July 2014 - Nancy Writebol, an American aid worker
in Liberia Liberia
July 26, 2014 - Kent Brantly, medical director for
Samaritan Purse's Ebola Consolidated Case
Management Center
in Liberia
July 29, 2014 - According to Doctors without Borders, Dr. Sheik Humarr Khan who was
overseeing Ebola treatment at Kenema Government Hospital
in Sierra Leone
July
30, 2014 - The Peace Corps announces it is removing its
volunteers from Liberia , Sierra Leone and Guinea
July 31, 2014 - CDC raises its warning to Level
3. It warns
U.S. residents to avoid
"nonessential travel" to Sierra Leone ,
Guinea , and Liberia
August 2, 2014 - A specially equipped medical
plane carrying Ebola patient Dr. Kent Brantly lands at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta , Georgia Emory
University Hospital
in Atlanta
To be continued.
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