E.B.O.L.A; overlooked causes of spread of virus from rural communities.

The recent E.B.O.L.A infection/deaths have sparked a lot of researches into how the virus spread silently and how it can be contained with surveillance and biosecurity measures. Controlling rural outbreaks is critical to eliminating Ebola,as research shows that 85 confirmed Ebola cases in the Kissidougou prefecture in Guinea were linked to a single funeral. The findings of this investigation highlight the importance of controlling local outbreaks in difficult-to-reach communities as a key component of the effort to eliminate Ebola, . In mid-December, rapid response teams were sent to villages in Kissidougou, where suspected Ebola cases had been reported. The teams of epidemiologists, clinicians and local public health officials interviewed patients and their household contacts and conducted testing. The teams admitted patients with suspected Ebola to a treatment center for confirmation testing, according to the researchers. In all, 62 patients, all from the Kissidougou prefecture, tested positive for Ebola and of these patients, 90% had Ebola-compatible symptoms, 51 patients died, 33 died in an Ebola treatment center and 18 deaths were community deaths. Patients who died in the community had not sought medical treatment; instead, family members reported the deaths to local health authorities, who considered them as suspected Ebola cases according to findings. The rapid response teams collected oral swabs from all the decedents within 24 hours of notification of death and all swabs tested positive.Household contact interviews revealed that all of the dead had attended the funeral of a well known midwife assistant, patient 1, in early December. Patient 1 traveled to a village in mid-November to perform a circumcision on an infant, who later died of an unknown cause, the researchers wrote. About 1 week after his return, patient 1 became ill with Ebola-like symptoms and he died on Dec. 4, without seeking medical attention. The funeral was attended by about 100 people from his own and other nearby villages. In Guinea, it is typical for funeral attendees to wash, touch and kiss the body of the deceased, according to the study and several funeral attendees probably had direct contact with the body and body fluids. The study shows that improved training for prompt reporting of cases, investigation and contact tracing and community acceptance of safe burial methods can reduce the risk for Ebola transmission in rural communities. Research

E-B-O-L-A.

The Ebola virus can easily be contained if certain habits are changed and new habits cultivated.The issue of eating bush meat,bats and wild antelopes is linked to maintaining the foci of infection,so if this practice is stopped the cycle ends.

E-B-O-L-A ON THE MOVE .

The Ebola virus has caused a lot of deaths in and outside Africa.The worst hit African countries are Liberia,Sierra Leone and Guniea. The 3 countries with highest death toll were on the verge of a declaration as EBOLA FREE by the W.H.O before pockets of new cases emerged. The president of Guinea ; Alpha Conda, has announced the 45-day health emergency in the country.The restriction involve 5 major districts which are 1) Forecaniah, 2) Coyan 3) Dubreku 4)Boffa and 5) Kindia. The president noted that the virus has been traced along the coastal areas,the restrictions is to stamp out the virus and ensure proper surveillance and isolation. The latest cases of the Ebola virus occurred within the medical community, amongst health workers.Three doctors have been infected in Conakry hospital, this has been linked to lack of infection control in the hospital, and these lapses fueled the outbreak, and further spread of the virus. Six more medical personnel have been infected across 3 clinics in the western area of the country.The health facilities where personnel were infected have been quarantined and closed. Sierra leone also declared a 3 day nationwide lock down, which was fueled by fears that the virus was making a new entry.The health workers are going on a door-door campaign ,telling the citizens about the Ebola virus ,its mode of transmission and management protocol. The authorities also have a dedicated helpline which citizens are to dial in case of any new outbreak. Mass education and mobilization of the citizens and health workers are also underway, to ensure prevention of the virus and more deaths. The lifestyle of the people in the country has been linked to the the infection with the virus and consequent spread of the virus.It is worthy of note that bush meat and bats which are reservoir host of the Ebola virus is a delicacy in these countries,also community festivals, cooking parlors which are common place in these countries are another means of spread of the virus. Complacency on the part of health workers has also been fingered in the spread and maintenance of foci of infection. The virus is inactivated with soap and water; hence handwashing is key to prevent spread ,also alcohol based hand sanitizers will kill the virus.Decontamination of clothing and premises with bleach is also another means to kill the virus.Cleaning floors,tables,walls and drains with bleach also go a long way to destroy the virus. Keep washing hands with soap and clean floors with bleach.

EBOLA RESURGENCE IN LIBERIA.

The deadly Ebola virus has reared its ugly head again in Liberia just when the country was to be pronounced EBOLA FREE. The latest victim a 44-year old woman died on 27/3/2015, her boyfriend was an Ebola survivor indicating that sexual transmission is a route of infection of the Ebola virus. Research has shown traces of Ebola virus in semen of survivors for at least 82 days after onset of symptoms ,to this end the W.H.O has advised Ebola survivors to abstain from sex during a 90- day period following recovery. The deputy health minister and head of the Ebola response team; Tolbert Nyenswah reiterated the stand of W.H.O and suggested that survivors go a step further until the the pathway of transmission is better understood. He suggested that Ebola survivors consider use of condoms for all sexual acts beyond 3 months. The Ebola virus has been linked to non-human primates such as monkeys and apes, the fruit bats has also been linked as a reservoir host. It has been documented that hunting in deep forest for wild animals(bush meat) and bats ,subsequent preparation and consumption is a major route of infection with the Ebola virus.The management of the sick in terms of cleaning vomitus, diarrhoea and other body fluids is responsible for spread.The burial rites and community -based burial ceremonies has further propagated the spread of the virus across the borders. The contamination of bedding, clothing and surfaces also contribute to spread of virus. The symptoms include fever,vomiting,diarrhoea and hemorrhaging .The bleeding is from all orifices, the diarrhoea and vomitus are also blood tinged. The envelope on the RNA virus is easily disrupted by washing with soap and water,hence hand washing is advocated. The use of alcohol based hand sanitizers has also been proven to inactivate the virus. The use of bleach to decontaminate surfaces,floors and drains is very effective for killing the virus. COMPLACENCY has been identified as the major cause of new cases of Ebola, it will be of paramount importance to be alert and be proactive. KEEP WASHING HANDS,WASH FLOORS/SURFACES WITH BLEACH.VISIT AN HOSPITAL IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE EBOLA SYMPTOMS AND REPORT TO HEALTH AUTHORITIES IF YOUVE HAD CONTACT WITH PERSON WITH EBOLA,OR HAVE VISITED COUNTRIES WITH EBOLA CASES.

EBOLA VIRUS.

The Ebola virus causes a deadly disease in man the Ebola virus transmitted from animals such as bats and primates(monkeys and apes) to humans through hunting,collection,processing, and consumption. The fruit bats,monkeys and apes are sources of forest meat/ bush meat in some African countries which potentiates spread of the virus.The consumption of fruits contaminated with fruit bats saliva is also a source of infection. The virus has been kicked out of Nigeria,its still ravaging in some African countries with tales of woe and death. It has been documented that outbreak of the Ebola virus infection normally starts with an index human case who has had contact with the reservoir host.The human to human transmission of the virus occurs by contact with infected body fluid,blood and secretions. The virus is also transmitted by contact with contaminated contaminated surfaces ,items,syringes and bedding. The signs and symptoms of the infection occur between 2-21 days,(but on an average of 10 days),these are fever,headache,diarrhea,vomiting,weakness,stomach pain,lack of appetite,bleeding from all orifices,joint and muscle pain. The Ebola virus infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with wild animals such as bats and monkeys,avoid contact with infected persons and cultivate the simple hygiene of hand washing and sanitizing. The environment can also be decontaminated by cleaning with full strength bleach solution.the virus is inactivated by strong chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite. The simple practice of hand washing and sanitizing plays a vital role to prevent spread of infection. The Ebola virus is inactivated when in contact with sodium hypochlorite(household bleach),so keep your environment safe and free,incorporate the use of bleach- water solution to your cleaning protocol to clean floor,walls and sidewalks. The use of the bleach solution to clean areas with high human traffic such as banks,malls,market,hospitals and parks is a good method to keep disease pathogens away. Isolation will be of immense benefit, when you notice a person is sick with classical signs of Ebola virus infection such as fever,diarrhoea,vomiting and bleeding from all orifices. If you need to travel stay away from countries with Ebola virus infection crisis, do not eat wild animals or purchase items made from animal byproducts such as drums,house decor. The best way to stop the virus is to prevent it,dont stop hand washing; hands up# stay safe# CLEAN IT # WASH IT# BLEACH IT.