KNOW LITTLE ABOUT THE EBOLA VIRUS!!!

Ebola Virus Disease is an infectious disease affecting humans and animals such as monkeys, gorillas, Chimpanzees, bats, antelopes, etc. It is a virulent killer with no specific treatments or vaccine for it and occurs in sporadic outbreak. It takes between 2 to 21 days after exposure to the virus for someone to feel sick or show the signs and symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease. Though the natural habitat of the virus is unknown but is normally found in an animal host that is native to the African continent.

Outbreaks of Ebola VD have been mainly restricted to Africa. Confirmed cases of Ebola VD have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Sudan, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Republic of Congo and Nigeria.

Symptoms of Ebola virus disease include sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headaches, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, red eyes, hiccups, chest pains, Stomach pain, Cold, Cough, Joint and muscles pain, Sore throat, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, Weakness, Depression, Confusion, Red eyes, impaired kidney and liver function, internal and external bleeding.

The public can prevent the spread of Ebola Virus Disease within the community by:

1. Quarantine all sick persons with any of these signs and symptoms to the nearest health facility immediately for medical attention.

2. Supporting the isolated people to avoid the spread of the disease within the community.

3. Accepting to wear protective clothing such as gowns, gloves, face mask and goggles each time you visit an Ebola virus disease patient in the health facility to protect you from getting infected with Ebola virus disease

4. Reporting the death of suspected Ebola Virus Disease patients to the nearest health facility.

5. Avoiding traditional burial practices such as embalming and washing of the patient corpse.

6. Informing family members, neighbours and friends about the signs, symptoms and simple preventive measures against the Virus such as:

i. Keeping the house and environment clean always;ii. Maintaining good personal hygiene practices such

as washing the hands with soap and water alwaysiii. Avoiding eating improperly cooked “bush meat”iv. Avoiding contact with the blood, saliva, faeces and

urine of animals listed above (dead or alive)v. Avoiding contact with the blood, saliva, faeces and

urine of an infected person (dead or alive)7. Ensuring that everyone in your community is educated

on the signs, symptoms and how to prevent Ebola Virus

Disease through the mosques, churches, schools, market places, Associations, Town hall meetings, etc.

How is Ebola Virus Disease spread?

The manner in which the Ebola virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak has not been determined. However, Ebola VD could be spread through the following:

1. Direct contact with an infected animal or human;2. Direct contact with the blood and/or secretions of an

infected person especially within families;3. Contact with contaminated medical equipment such as

needles;4. Reuse of unsterilized needles in hospital;5. Eating or handling of the carcass of infected animals;6. Inhalation of contaminated air in hospital environment;7. Use of infected animals as food source;8. Non implementation of universal precautions.

How can the spread of Ebola Virus Disease be prevented in the health facility?

The spread of Ebola Virus Disease can be prevented in a health facility by:

1. Ensuring that all health facility have emergency preparedness plan for disease outbreak.

2. Training health workers on how to identify and handle a suspected Ebola virus disease case such as:

Designation of an area for isolation of suspected and confirm Ebola virus disease cases

Referring all sick persons with any signs and symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease to the isolation area until the disease has run its course OR to the nearest Ebola Virus Disease diagnostic or treatment centres immediately for medical attention.

Observing strict barrier nursing principles while caring for Ebola Virus Disease patient such as:o Limit the number of health facility staff and visitors

in the patient’s room.o Wearing protective clothing before entering the

patient’s roomo Washing hands regularlyo Limiting the use of invasive procedures and

reducing the number of injectable medicationso Safe disposing and disinfection of personal items,

instruments and equipment used in caring and treating infected patients such as syringes, thermometers, beddings, clothing, cups, plates, spoon, etc.

o Disposing of waste safelyo Use of safe burial practices

Remember, there are no specific treatments for Ebola Virus Disease. Patients are isolated and then supported by health

care workers!

For further information, please contact the Epidemiology Division, Federal Ministry of Health/Nigerian Centre for Disease Control,

Abuja OR Call: 08033120482, 08037154575 and 08037879701. You can also follow us on twitter @EbolaInfoFmohNg