Month: June 2014

UPDATE ON EBOLA IN WEST AFRICA

Good-day everyone, its a fresh start to the week and the Month in general, Happy Monday and welcome to our first post for the month. HAPPY BLOG-DAY!!!

Few months back I wrote on “Ebola Virus” and its outbreak in some West African Countries. I promised to give updates as regards the infection from time to time. I’ve been looking out for updates on the infection over the past few weeks and then I got this and decided to share.

The fight to contain the outbreak, prevent further outbreak and achievement of better outcome by atleast preventing associated morbidity and mortality has been intense by the WHO, Ministry Of Health of both affected and unaffected West African Countries and this is highly commendable.

SUMMARY OF EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE.

Ebola virus Disease is a viral infection caused by the Ebola virus, leading to a viral hemorrhagic fever syndrome.

In Patients who have Ebola virus infection, 2 types of exposure history are recognised:

~ Primary exposure : involves travel to or work in an Ebola-endemic area, such as the DRC, Sudan, Gabon or Cote d’voire. A history of exposure to tropical African forests is more common in patients with primary exposure to Ebola than is history of working within Cities in the same region.

~ Secondary exposure refers to human-to-human or primate-to-human exposures. In each major outbreak, medical personnel or family members who cared for patients or those who prepared deceased patients for burial were at very high risk. Also at risk for infection are animal care workers who provide care for primates.

TREATMENT

Currently no specific therapy is available that has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of Ebola Hemorrhagic fever. General medical support is critical and includes Fluid and electrolyte replacement, replacement of coagulation factors and heparin if disseminated intravascular coagulation develops, Nutritional support, comfort care.

N/B: There are no commercially available Ebola vaccines. Work on an Ebola vaccine is still on.

RECOVERY

Recovery often requires months, and delays may be expected before full resumption of normal activities. Weight gain and return of strength are slow. Ebola virus continues to be present for many weeks after resolution of the clinical illness. Semen from men recovering from Ebola infection has been shown to contain infectious virus, and Ebola has been transmitted by sexual intercourse involving recovering men and their sex partners.

PREVENTION:

Since the reservoir of infection is not known, there is no primary preventive intervention available. However, Infection control inside and outside of medical facilities relies on barrier protection using double gloves, fluid-impermeable gowns, face shields with eye protection, and coverings for legs and shoes. This is to prevent all forms of contact with infected blood and body fluids.

~ Use of hand sanitizers are also advised

UPDATE (via WHO):

GUINEA

Cases and deaths attributable to Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak continue to be reported from new (Telimele and Boffa) and some affected districts (Conakry and Macenta) that did not report cases for more than 42 days.

Since 28 May 2014, 10 new cases and 7 new deaths have been reported. The current evolving epidemiological situation could be partly explained by persistent community resistance in some communities in Gueckedou, Macenta, and Conakry.

As of 18:00 on 28 May 2014, a cumulative total of 291 clinical cases of EVD, including 193 deaths have been reported. The classification of these cases and deaths are as follows: confirmed, 172 cases and 108 deaths; probable, 71 cases and 62 deaths; and suspected, 48 cases and 23 deaths. The breakdown of cases and deaths by affected areas is as follows: Conakry, 53 cases and 27 deaths; Gueckedou, 179 cases and 133 deaths; Macenta, 40 cases and 23 deaths; Kissidougou, 7 cases and 5 deaths; Dabola, 4 cases and 4 deaths, Djinguiraye, 1 case and 1 death; and Boffa, 4 cases and 0 deaths.

The total number of cases in isolation is 13 (9 in Gueckedou, 3 in Telimele, and 1 in Conakry).

The number of contacts under follow-up is 493 (275 in Gueckedou, 125 in Macenta, and 93 in Telimele).

SIERRA LEONE

As of 18:00 on 29 May 2014, 34 new cases (7 confirmed, 3 probable, and 24 suspected) and one suspected death were reported from five districts. This brings the cumulative total number of clinical cases of EVD to 50 (14 confirmed, 3 probable, and 36 suspected) including 6 deaths (2 confirmed, 3 probable and 1 suspected).

The geographical distribution of these cases and deaths are as follows: Kailahun (37 cases and 6 deaths), Kenema (1 case and 0 death), Koinadugu (1 case and 0 death), Bo (1 case and 0 death), Moyamba and (1 case and 0 death).

LIBERIA

As of 29 May 2014, one new suspected case who died in Foya district was reported. The body was transported to and buried in Sierra Leone. The case is being investigated by both Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The number of cases remains subject to change due to reclassification, retrospective investigation, consolidation of cases and laboratory data, and enhanced surveillance.

Community resistance, inadequate treatment facilities and insufficient human resources in certain affected areas are among challenges currently faced by the three countries in responding to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak.

WHO RESPONSE

WHO and its partners have deployed experts to both Sierra Leone and Guinea to support and build capacity of national personnel to mount an effective Ebola Virus Disease outbreak response including coordination, disease outbreak investigation, risk assessment, establishment of treatment facilities, case management, infection prevention and control in the newly affected districts, and social mobilization targeting the resistant communities.

In Sierra Leone, WHO and its partners have established a treatment centre in Koindu and are also coordinating the laboratory testing of samples from Kailahun district, Sierra Leone to be tested in Gueckedou, Guinea.

WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone based on the current information available for this event.

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Dr Ima.

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