Epidemiology of Ebola virus disease and its Public Health Importance in Africa
1. Narayan Consultancy on Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology- Anand-388001, Gujarat, India
2. Yemalog Walal Woreda Livestock and Fishery Development and Resource Office, Kellem Wollega zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.
3. Meta Robi Livestock and Fishery Development and Resource Office, Oromia, Ethiopia
Citation: Mahendra Pal, Mati Roba Bulcha and Iyasu Ejeta, “Epidemiology of Ebola virus disease and its public health importance in Africa”. American Research Journal of Public Health, Volume 4, Issue No. 1, 2021, pp. 1-4.
Abstract
he existence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been known to humans for more than four decades; however, many aspects of its history are not well
recognized. Ebola virus mostly thrives in the West and sub-Sahara of Africa until today with great outbreaks and high mortality rates. Ebola is established as a
major threat to public health and conservation as they cause periodic human and nonhuman primate outbreaks with high death rates. This disease is highly
contagious and tends to break out to other individuals that come in direct contact with the affected patients. In hospital, transmission of infection occurs
through unsterilized needles and syringes. Clinical spectrum of disease includes high fever, frontal headache, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malaise,
pharyngitis, pleuritic chest pain, and visceral hemorrhages from nose, gums, and vagina. Death occurs due to severe blood loss and shock. Virological,
immunological ,and molecular techniques are employed to confirm the diagnosis of the disease. Currently, no antiviral drug is available to treat the patient.
Preventive strategies include immediate isolation of patient and strict containment nursing practice, wearing of personal protective equipment, through washing of hands with soap and water after percutaneous or mucocutaneous exposure, proper handling of infected materials of the patients, and decontamination of all discharges, secretions etc.
