Emerging Infectious Diseases: Focus on Ebola Maryam Othman MD, MPH Director, Global & Community Health Assistant Professor, Western University of Health science

Emerging infectious diseases cab defined as infectious that have newly appeared in the population, or have existed but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range

1.The global human population explosion 2.Human travel and commerce 3.Changes in human behavior 4.Other reasons include:  The breakdown of public health systems  The breakdown of public health systems  Poverty  War  Famine.  Poverty  War  Famine.

Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a sever, often fatal illness in humans (case fatality rate of up to 90%)Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a sever, often fatal illness in humans (case fatality rate of up to 90%) Current outbreak in Africa, largest ever recorded.Current outbreak in Africa, largest ever recorded. The natural reservoir of the virus is suspected to be batsThe natural reservoir of the virus is suspected to be bats

Transmission occurs via contact with infected human body fluids (blood, saliva, vomitus, stool, semen, breast milk, and tears)Transmission occurs via contact with infected human body fluids (blood, saliva, vomitus, stool, semen, breast milk, and tears) Nosocomial transmission ( hospital-acquired infection ) is a key driver of outbreaksNosocomial transmission ( hospital-acquired infection ) is a key driver of outbreaks The incubation period is 2-21 daysThe incubation period is 2-21 days

Touching the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola.Touching the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola. Touching contaminated objects, like needles.Touching contaminated objects, like needles. Touching infected animals, their blood or other body fluids, or their meat.Touching infected animals, their blood or other body fluids, or their meat.

Al tocar la sangre o los líquidos corporales de una persona que tiene la enfermedad del Ébola o que murió por ella.Al tocar la sangre o los líquidos corporales de una persona que tiene la enfermedad del Ébola o que murió por ella. Al tocar objetos contaminados, como agujas.Al tocar objetos contaminados, como agujas. Al tocar animales infectados, su sangre, otros líquidos corporales o su carne.Al tocar animales infectados, su sangre, otros líquidos corporales o su carne.

Ebola start with flu-like illness: fever, sever headache, muscle pain and weakness vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.Ebola start with flu-like illness: fever, sever headache, muscle pain and weakness vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Hemorrhagic symptoms include rash, bruising, and bleeding from any puncture sites.Hemorrhagic symptoms include rash, bruising, and bleeding from any puncture sites. The late stage of the disease: shock, seizures, organ failure, coma and death.The late stage of the disease: shock, seizures, organ failure, coma and death.

Diagnostic testingDiagnostic testing Blood test performed by Blood test performed by special laboratories. special laboratories. Treatment:Treatment: No vaccine available No vaccine available (only experimental) (only experimental) No FDA approved specific treatment (only experimental) No FDA approved specific treatment (only experimental) Treatment is focused on supportive & symptomatic care Treatment is focused on supportive & symptomatic care

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Influenza and Ebola may share some of the same symptoms, but there is very low risk of catching Ebola and very high risk for catching the flu. Influenza and Ebola may share some of the same symptoms, but there is very low risk of catching Ebola and very high risk for catching the flu. The flu virus is much more common and more easily spread than Ebola. The flu virus is much more common and more easily spread than Ebola.