EBOLA A KILLER FEVER Out Break of Ebola virus disease in West Africa is an “Extraordinary Event” Listening the silent sounds of Ebola Epidemic in India By H.C.Gera (Special Correspondent) During the outbreak investigations of H1N1 influenza (Swine flu) in 2009 all parameters of epidemic control were applied as per guidelines of Govt. of India. As a nodal officer (Swine flu) in Chandigarh city, timely control measures were instituted and the outbreak was brought under check. It was indeed very hectic but with the cooperation of all medical institutions, hospitals, the members of Rapid Response teams and other paramedical staff Swine flu was controlled in a systematic but in an effective manner. Now after H1N1 influenza the Ebola virus disease has come on the health scene of West Africa. The WHO has already declared this outbreak as an “Extraordinary Event” and a public health risk to other countries. Therefore, it must be understood that consequences of spread of this disease across the world would be dangerous keeping the virulence of the disease. While tracing the route of infection as an epidemiologist it becomes essential to share with my readers that the outbreak of this disease occurred in December 2013 in the Gu’eck’dou region in Guinea’s remote south western forest region. As per reports the virus has spread to three other West African countries- Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The statics of this serious disease are equally startling. The disease outbreak cases reveal that as many as 1,779 persons were infected with this disease and mortality figure has crossed 960. The mortality rate of this disease is extraordinary high and we need to be serious about its spread among other countries. It is likely that the death toll may further increase and case fatality may rise up to 90 per cent. The Symptoms of Ebola Virus • Headache with high fever • Stomach pain • Sour throat • Rash & bleeding • Running nose • Red eyes. Mode of spread The virus spreads through body fluids like urine and blood of infected persons. The virus causes haemorrhagic fever which doesn’t allow the blood to clot leading to high mortality. The incubation period of this disease is 21 days. It has already been declared epidemic of international health emergency by the World Health Organisation. Basically Ebola should be on special watch list of every doctor and the epidemiologists of the country. Though at present there is no threat in India but we have to be on toes to be fully prepared in case of eventuality. Screening at the airports has to be strengthened and surveillance activities to be kept in top gear. Another important tool is to make the public aware about the outbreak of the disease through various awareness programs. Health Education activities are also required to be geared up in advance despite the fact the disease has not knocked the door in India. But who knows when the disease takes a turn of international health emergency, we ought to be equipped with full preparedness. The time is ripe to listen to the silent sounds of epidemic of Ebola virus before it is too late.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 09:48:26 +0000