Definition Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), also known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF), is a highly contagious infection caused by one of five virus species belonging to the Filoviridae family believed to be carried by fruit bats.

Outbreaks 1976- First Major Outbreak (ZEBOV) 1976- Sudan (SEBOV) Occur Sporadically

Where does Ebola hide? 2002- Fruit Bats Antibodies against Ebola Ebola Gene sequences in liver and spleen Fruit bats do not show any symptoms Best candidate to be the reservoir

Ebola Subtypes Ebola-Zaire (ZEBOV) Ebola-Sudan (SEBOV) Ebola Ivory-Coast (ICEBOV) Ebola-Reston (REBOV)

Epidemiology Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever was first found in 1976 It struck two countries within that year a.  Sudan – in a town called N’zara b.  Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo   In these two instances the mortality rate was between 50 –90% Following those epidemics, Ebola hit Africa in many other instances the worst yet being in the year 2000 when it struck Uganda infecting more than 400 people.

Geography The link between human infection by the Ebola virus and their proximity to primates is clear. -Outbreaks occurred in countries that house 80 percent of the world’s remaining wild gorilla and chimpanzee populations. - The outbreaks coincided with the outbreaks in wild animals. - The same distinct viral strains were isolated in animal carcasses and in the bodies of those who handled those carcasses. -

Risk Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever typically occurs in west and central Africa. Persons working in healthcare settings are at greater risk, especially if working in unhygienic conditions and adequate protective equipment is not available.  Serological evidence suggests the presence of Ebola virus in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

Transmission Ebola virus is transmitted by contact with blood, feaces or body fluids from an infected person or by direct contact with the virus, as in a laboratory Contracted through contact of any infected individual’s body fluids.

Symptoms Incubation period: 2-21 days Stage I (unspecific): -Extreme asthenia (body weakness) -diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, anorexia abdominal pain - headaches - arthralgia (neuralgic pain in joints) - myalgia (muscular pain or tenderness), back pain - mucosal redness of the oral cavity, dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing) - conjunctivitis - rash all over body except in face ** If the patients don’t recover gradually at this point, there is a high probability that the disease will progress to the second phase, resulting in complications which eventually lead to death .

Stage II (Specific): - Hemorrhage ( Internal and External bleeding) - neuropsychiatric abnormalities - anuria (the absence of urine formation) - hiccups - tachypnea (rapid breathing). ** Patients who progressed to phase two EHF almost always die. Late Complications: -Arthralgia - ocular diseases (ocular pain, photophobia and hyperlacrimation) - hearing loss - unilateral orchitis( inflammation of one or both of the testes) ** These conditions are usually relieved with the treatment of 1% atropine and steroids.

Controlling the spread of Ebola A. Hospitals must follow precautionary methods, such as:  1.      Wearing gloves 2.      Isolating infected individuals 3.      Practicing nurse barrier techniques 4.      Proper sterilization and disposal of all equipment B.  Burials must be done correctly 1.      No washing or touching carcass 2.      Put into body bags and bury outside city C. Report any questionable illness to officials                   

Prevention Travellers going to affected areas should refrain from visiting households or healthcare settings that have been affected by an Ebola outbreak. Those who care for patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola cases should wear protective gowns, gloves, masks, as well as a face shield. Avoid eating meat from primates and monkeys as well as contact with dead animals. Practice good personal hygiene and wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. There is currently no commercially available vaccine or preventive medication against Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever.

RECENT UPDATE Doctor who treated victim has been affected Three other suspects quarantined and five more to be quarantined 70 others under surveillance Federal government raises panel to study Professor Iwu’s research on possible cure No scientific proof on bitter kola cure Air passengers to declare health status Website emergency toll free numbers: 0800326524357, 0800EBOLAHELP www.ebolaalert.org; @ebolaalert

RECENT UPDATE A nurse, who was part of the medical team that attended to the late Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, who died of Ebola virus in Lagos on July 25, has died of the Virus disease The Nurse who was not named died on August 5. Also confirmed that five other medical practitioners who participated in the treatment are already infected with virus. Nigeria has now recorded seven confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease.. The other five cases are currently being treated at the Isolation Ward in Lagos.

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