Ebola
In recent months the world has watched as the Ebola Virus Disease or more commonly referred to as Ebola has ravished various West African countries including Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. How is it spread from host to host? And what can individuals do to prevent its spread?
The virus has been referred to as a hemorrhagic fever that is transmitted by direct contact with contaminated bodily waste or medical equipment. There are five different forms of the virus that can be found in various parts of the world.
Early symptoms include, “sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat” according to the World Health Organization. As the disease progresses patients may experience vomiting, diarrhea, rashes and internal or external bleeding. From the time a person becomes infected to when they show symptoms can vary from two days to 21 days.
The most recent outbreak is among the largest in history according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control. The governments of Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone all released statistics on suspected as well as confirmed cases of the virus. Between the countries over 3,000 cases have been reported as of August 31, according the World Health Organization (WHO).
But critics are saying the response has been lacking in coordination and leadership. According to the Washington Post the non-profit organization Doctors Without Borders is one of the few organizations prepared to face what is being called by the WHO an epidemic and that the delay in response and leadership on the behalf of the international community is making the situation worse.
In a statement released in August the WHO the organization outlined an initiative involving, “health officials in the affected countries, the African Union, development banks, other UN agencies, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and countries providing direct financial support.” One of the most recently announced countries to provide aid in the upcoming endeavors is Cuba by providing 165 health professionals to West Africa.