In 2014, an outbreak of Ebola was registered. This is the largest outbreak that develops into a pandemic. What is Ebola, what are its symptoms, what threat does it pose to the inhabitants of all countries and how to deal with it - scientists around the world are trying to solve these questions.
Ebola virus
This is a disease caused by an RNA genome virus. Ebola fever (photo of patients is presented below) is one of the most dangerous hemorrhagic fevers with a high degree of mortality. The causative agent was first identified in 1976. It got its name from a river in the Republic of the Congo, where it was first discovered during a mass outbreak of an unknown disease characterized by a high mortality rate of about 90-95%.
There are 5 varieties of this virus: Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Thai Forest, Reston. The latter - Reston - is not pathogenic for humans, it affects only pigs and monkeys. The first of these, Zaire, caused an outbreak in 2014. This is the most pathogenic virus. Ebola is a massive outbreak in African countries. But in 2014, cases were reported in other countries of the world. Assumedthat at the end of 2014 the Ebola virus in Russia may start its march, but this did not happen.
The main carriers of the virus are fruit bats and monkeys, which are common in South and West Africa. They themselves do not get sick, but local natives eat the meat of these animals and become infected with hemorrhagic fever. Moreover, there are fruit bats and monkeys - this is a religious cult, and poor economic security, poverty and poverty lead to the fact that entire tribes become infected. That's what Ebola is. This virus is very scary.
Reasons for the rapid spread of the disease
For six months in Liberia, more than 2 thousand people died from this virus. This is due to insufficient funding and the weakness of medical care in this country. In addition, poverty, illiteracy and religious practices contribute to the spread of the virus: the population refuses to be examined, hides the sick and steals them from hospitals. Burial is also a kind of ritual, which involves washing the body and shaving off the hair for further use in various rituals. Most often, bodies are buried near villages and rivers, which leads to infection of other people. What is Ebola they do not know and do not want to know, therefore, sanitary standards are not observed, which leads to the further spread of the disease.
How people get infected
The incubation period of the disease is from 3 days to three weeks. No cases of infection have been registered by airborne droplets. This disease, Ebola, is transmittedthrough direct contact with sick people or their secretions: feces, sweat, breast milk, seminal fluid, blood. In these fluids, virulence persists for 2-7 weeks. The danger increases if there is damage to the skin of the contact. Contact with those who died of fever is also dangerous: the activity of the virus persists for 1.5 months after the death of the patient. There is evidence of human infection after contact with infected primates, porcupines, forest antelope.
Changes in the body during the introduction of the virus
It has been established that irreversible processes occur in the body when the Ebola virus is introduced. What kind of disease is this, is it possible to help a person - these questions are being studied and developed by scientists around the world.
During the incubation period, the virus multiplies intensively in the regional lymph nodes, liver, spleen. After that, a massive seeding of all organs and tissues occurs with direct destruction of cells by the virus and a violation of their function, as well as enhanced autoimmune defense reactions. First of all, the walls of the vessels suffer and hemorrhagic syndrome manifests itself, then edema and subsequently DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation), which leads to hemorrhages in all organs and tissues with impaired function.
Signs of illness
How do the virus, Ebola, the symptoms of this disease manifest themselves? Is it possible to suspect the disease in the early stages? What should be of concern? These issues, due to the large migration of the population, are of concern to every person who travels the world or is in contact withvarious representatives of the African population and not only. It is necessary to know the main manifestations in order to prevent contact with the sick and isolate the patient.
Many are interested in the question of what Ebola is, what kind of disease it is. This fever begins with a sudden rise in body temperature to high numbers, then the following symptoms appear:
- At the initial stage, there are pains in the throat and behind the chest; weakness, myasthenia gravis.
- The late stage is characterized by the addition of signs such as intense hematemesis, diarrhea, black feces, rashes all over the body, eye bleeding.
- At the final stage, symptoms of multiple organ failure and massive bleeding from all organs with the appearance of large bruises, confluent exanthema, even with slight pressure on the skin.
This is how Ebola manifests itself. Photos of the sick are simply shocking.
Death occurs from hemorrhagic, infectious-toxic shock, hypovolemia and multiple organ failure in the second week of illness. It should be noted that human susceptibility to the disease is high; after recovery, a strong immunity to this subtype is formed for 10 years.
Laboratory diagnostics
It has been established that irreversible processes occur in the body when the Ebola virus is introduced. What kind of disease is this, is it possible to help a person - these questions are being studied and developed by scientists around the world.
During the incubation periodthere is an intensive reproduction of the virus in the regional lymph nodes, liver, spleen. After that, a massive seeding of all organs and tissues occurs with direct destruction of cells by the virus and a violation of their function, as well as enhanced autoimmune defense reactions. First of all, the walls of the vessels suffer, hemorrhagic syndrome manifests itself, then edema, and subsequently DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation), which leads to hemorrhages in all organs and tissues with impaired function.
Than to treat
It is necessary to isolate patients in special boxes of the infectious diseases department or in disposable plastic boxes. Processing is carried out with iodoform and a solution of phenol with sodium bicarbonate. All household items must be disposable, which are subsequently disinfected and burned at high temperatures.
Caring for the sick is carried out in an anti-plague suit. Treatment is purely symptomatic. It aims to replace fluids by drinking plenty of water, tea, soups, but not alcohol. You should stop taking blood thinners: Aspirin, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, etc.
A vaccine for the treatment of this disease is under development and has not yet passed all clinical trials. In Russia, three types of vaccines are being prepared, which are being tested on primates. In a few months, according to Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Olga Golodets, vaccines can be used to treat people.
Prevention measures
To prevent infection, it is advisable to refrain from traveling to West Africa, especially to epidemically unfavorable areas. If this is not possible, then it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene: wash hands under running water with soap or treat with alcohol. Avoid or minimize contact with the local population and try not to touch the body fluids of infected people.
The meat of wild animals should be boiled well using only imported water. And you should go hunting in protective clothing and gloves.
When caring for the sick and when working with the corpses of the dead, special clothing is required: a long-sleeved gown, gloves, a mask, boots to prevent blood or body fluids from entering the body.
Dead from this infection must be quickly and safely buried by burning. A clear distinction between the sick and the he althy is important, which is practically impossible in savage tribes. Those who cared for the sick should be under observation for at least 21 days after the end of work. Suspicious and contact persons are isolated in special boxes, observed for the same time and immunized with specific immunoglobulin obtained from horse serum.
