... My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:4. HEALTH TOPICS on LTARwK The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Dear Friends Over the last few weeks, there has been a recent outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in some countries across the West African sub-region. Yesterday, the Lagos State Ministry of Health announced a suspected case of Ebola infection involving a Liberian who had recently arrived Nigeria. Though investigations into the case are ongoing at different levels, it is necessary that we share some knowledge on the dreaded sickness so that we will be in a better position to protect ourselves and our loved ones. What is Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)? • A haemorrhagic fever caused by a virus known as Ebola. • Neither vaccine nor treatment currently available. • One of the most lethal viral infections with a high mortality rate (death rate) during outbreaks. How is Ebola Transmitted? • Transmitted to people from infected wild animals like fruit bats, monkeys, gorillas etc and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. • Direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes): with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected or dead victim. • Indirect contact: with environments contaminated with such fluids (but cannot be transmitted through the air). Symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) • Can start within 2 days of contact with an infected person or body. • Early symptoms include fever, tiredness, headache, and nausea. • Later symptoms include vomiting (which may contain blood), diarrhoea (which may contain blood), cough (which may contain blood), and bleeding (mostly from nose and mouth). • Most people with Ebola die – up to 90% rate. Top Prevention Tips • Do not touch an infected person or their body fluids, including blood, vomit, faeces, urine, etc. • Keep away from dead bodies. Do not wash, touch or kiss dead bodies. Do not wash hands in the same bucket as others who have touched the dead body. • Avoid ‘bush meat’ or any meat which source you are not sure of. • Wash your hands frequently with detergent or soap, using clean water. • Use hand sanitizers in the office and educate colleagues on the importance of hand sanitizers (also get one for your children/ wards to use in school frequently and, if possible, donate several to their class). • Avoid buying foodstuff, clothing and/ or other personal materials from markets/ shops that share the same vicinity with live or roasted ‘bush meat’ dealers or sellers. • Gloves and other appropriate protective clothing should be worn when handling sick animals or their tissues. What to do in case of sickness: Finally, as soon as you suspect the disease or you have persistent fever not responding to the standard treatment for malaria and typhoid, report to the nearest Health facility. Your health is your greatest asset, so make it last. Do have a healthy life in a safe environment and please endeavour to share this piece of information. God bless u.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 11:38:52 +0000
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