New Ebola Outbreak Declared: Ebola virus affects humans and some animals (like monkeys, chimpanzees, and fruit bats). The disease is highly contagious through direct contact with blood, secretions, or other body fluids of infected people or animals.
Ebola Outbreak Declared: Another pandemic loading? After more than five years of battling the deadliest virus in the history of mandkind – the most contagious SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, the world now faces renewed fears of another equally dangerous disease: Ebola.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday said that they have declared a new Ebola outbreak in the Kasai Province. The outbreak, caused by the severe Zaire Ebola virus strain, is suspected to be a new spillover from an animal host rather than a continuation of previous epidemics.
“The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recently declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Kasai Province, marking the country’s 16th known outbreak of this deadly virus. This outbreak is caused by the Zaire Ebola virus, the most severe strain of Ebola, known for its high fatality rate,” sources told the media.
According to the reports, the outbreak began with a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was hospitalised on the 20th of August and died five days later. Two health workers who treated her also became infected and died.
Authorities have confirmed that as of now, there are 81 confirmed cases and 28 deaths, including four health workers.
What Is Ebola Virus?
Ebola virus is one of the deadliest and rarest viruses that mankind has ever battled. As cases are on the rise due to this severely sickening virus, let’s understand what it is and what symptoms it may trigger once it enters the body.
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River – currently called the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As studies stated, the primary host of this virus is the fruit bats. In total, there are 5 different known species of the Ebola virus – Zaire ebolavirus – which is one of the deadliest and most life-threatening strains. Sudan ebolavirus, Tai Forest ebolavirus, Bundibugyo ebolavirus and Reston ebolavirus.
What happens after the virus enters the body? Scientists say that after entering the human body, the virus first targets the immune system – weakens it and then damages the respiratory organs, leading to symptoms like high fever, persistent cough, runny nose, etc.
Ebola virus affects humans and some animals (like monkeys, chimpanzees, and fruit bats). The disease is highly contagious through direct contact with blood, secretions, or other body fluids of infected people or animals.
How Long Does It Take For The Symptoms To Appear?
As documented by most of the researchers, the incubation period of the Ebola virus depends on the strain, however, for anyone to show up the symptoms, it takes 2-21 days after getting infected with the virus.
What Are The Symptoms of Ebola Virus?
Just like COVID-19, Ebola virus also transmits from infected surfaces, hands, and it considered extremely deadly. As per reports, so far, the case fatality rates has ranged between 25% to 90%. Earlier in 2014-2016, West Africa outbreak of Ebola virus had killed over 11,000 people.
Here are some of the warning signs of the ebola virus:
- High fever, severe weakness
- Headache, sore throat, muscle pain
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Rash
- Internal and external bleeding (in severe cases)
- Organ failure in advanced stages
Ebola Outbreak Declared In Africa: WHO Issues Fresh Guidelines
Key control measures also include early isolation of suspected cases, contact tracing, quarantining contacts, and increasing hospital capacity with field treatment centers. Safer funeral practices avoiding traditional customs such as washing or touching bodies are being promoted to reduce transmission. Supportive care, including rehydration, electrolyte replacement, and monoclonal antibody treatments, is critical to reduce mortality.
Follow TheHealthSite.com for all the latest health news and developments from around the world.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today!
Leave a Reply