Ebola

During these days we have been hearing the word ‘Ebola’, but some of us don’t even know what that means. Ebola is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with a strain of the Ebola virus. This year we have heard that word a lot because the world, mostly in Africa, is suffering of a epidemic, it has been the largest Ebola epidemic in the history.It has affected multiple countries in West Africa.

Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood and body fluids of a person infected by and already showing symptoms of Ebola. Infection with the virus may also occur by direct contact with a recently contaminated item or surface. Ebola is not spread through air, water, food, or mosquitoes. The virus can be spread by semen and breast milk for several weeks to months after recovery. Signs and symptoms typically start between two days and three weeks after contracting the virus, some of those symptoms are fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and headaches. Then,vomiting, diarrhea and rash, usually follow, along with decreased function of the liver and kidneys.The disease has a risk of death killing between 25% and 90% of those infected with the virus.

The possibilities of this virus spreading in the United States is very low, because there have only been reported 3-6 people infected with Ebola virus. In a survey, we could see that most people think that Americans, and others who live in the United States, shouldn’t worry about a epidemic in this country.

There are a lot of forms to prevent an infection of Ebola. The people who take care of those infected with the virus should wear protective clothing including masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles. The U.S. ‘Centers for Disease Control‘ say that the protective gear leaves no skin exposed, these measures are also recommended for those who may handle objects contaminated by an infected person’s body fluids. It’s recommended not to make contact with persons infected with this virus if it’s not necessary.

Laboratories and other institutions are working on finding a cure for this deadly virus, there has been great progress in the investigations.

 

 

Category: News