Africa. Ebola. Announcers constantly report with alarm about the appearance on our planet Earth of another epidemic focus of a ferocious virus that mercilessly takes thousands of lives. The name "Ebola" hides a highly contagious disease with the highest lethality among contacts and up to 90 percent among patients.
What is Ebola?
Hemorrhagic fever is an acute viral disease caused by a virus of the Filovirus family, which has the ability to provoke severe bleeding in humans and certain subspecies of primates.
A bit of history
The pathogen was first isolated and discovered in the late 70s of the twentieth century in Africa, in Zaire, in the area of the water channel of the river of the same name, which subsequently determined its name as "Ebola fever". The countries where epidemic foci were first recorded gave their name to numerous subtypes and mutations of the pathogen.
Outbreaks of the disease were noted repeatedly, but the number of infected and dead did not pose a threat to surrounding states until 2014. Since that time, the disease has penetrated many countries, creating a threat on a planetary scale (as defined by leading WHO scientists).
How can you get infected?
What is Ebola, it became a little clear. But how to save yourself from such an insidious sore? It is known that direct contact with the carrier of the virus is necessary for the development of pathology. And for this, at least until recently, it was necessary to go to the black continent, since Africa is the main natural custodian of such an infection.
It has been observed that the high humidity of local forests, as well as the western parts of the Pacific coast, creates favorable conditions for carriers of such diseases, including numerous primates, bats, antelopes and porcupines, often in close contact with local natives. Given the high infecting ability of the pathogen, a slight contact with the patient's biological fluids, including blood, urine, saliva and other secretions, is sufficient.
The southern continent is famous for its specific burial rites, as well as only partially and insufficiently observed personal hygiene rules there, illiteracy, including medical personnel, which also determines the predisposition of the majority of the population to contracting infectious diseases.
Characteristic clinic
The minimum time during which symptoms of the disease can develop after direct contact withsick, and the necessary quarantine measures last from several days to 3 weeks. If during this time characteristic signs appear, it is urgent to sound the alarm and be sure to seek medical help.
Clinically, fever is manifested by non-specific reactions of the body to the introduction of an antigen and the development of a rapid immunological response. Fever, aches in the muscles and the whole body, headache, sore throat, general weakness and weakness do not distinguish such a disease from the beginning flu or similar acute respiratory viral manifestations.
The main difference is the appearance in feces, urine, vomit of streaks or drops of blood, as well as hemorrhagic rashes on the skin, sclera, intestines, which is due to the affinity of the pathogen to the vascular endothelium and the development of internal or external bleeding, which is the main cause death from advanced disease.
Disease detection
In addition to the development of a characteristic clinical picture, with the help of additional examination methods, it is possible to determine peculiar, typical for the Ebola virus, antigenic structures, as well as protective antibodies produced by the body. In addition to blood, samples of saliva and urine are also tested. These are non-invasive examination methods used to screen the population and quickly identify those infected.
Laboratory analyzes of already ill patients show leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia, as well as enzymes of liver cell cytolysis, indicating damage to this organ.
Hemorrhagic fever treatment
Difficulties in managing the course of the disease once again show the capricious nature of such an infection as Ebola. News that the latest developments of the latest vaccines to combat such a dangerous pathology are just beginning to undergo clinical trials is disappointing.
Rehydration and detoxification therapy is currently used as the main method of treatment, restoring the disturbed water and electrolyte balance of the body. The drugs are administered both intravenously and orally, depending on the severity of the patient's condition.
Experimentally created products based on immune sera do not achieve the proper clinical effect. It may take some time to obtain an effective and safe drug, which further depresses the mood and frightens the public consciousness, because Ebola has been known for more than 30 years, but an effective remedy has not yet been obtained.
Precautions against epidemic spread
It is important to remember that all known especially dangerous infections must be localized quickly and efficiently. The above include Ebola, the latest recommendations for which must be strictly followed.
Quarantine isolation measures for all contact persons, as well as hospital staff, must be fully implemented. All contaminated materials, including clothing, underwear, personal care items,as well as medical consumables in the form of syringes, droppers, gloves and similar items, if possible, should be well disinfected or disposed of in accordance with the requirements of sanitary standards.
And, of course, it is necessary to notify the population in time and in full about what kind of illness this is - Ebola. The latest news regarding all aspects of this problem, as well as the possible threat and recommendations for protecting against infection with the virus will be extremely useful, especially for residents of African countries.
Should we be afraid of the epidemic in Russia?
As Russian virologists assure, Ebola will not spread in Russia. Even if the infection is introduced into the territory of our homeland, Russians have no reason to worry about the likelihood of an epidemic. Of course, tourist routes have also been laid in the direction of infected countries, which, of course, should be taken into account when planning future holidays abroad.
At the borders, control measures for visitors have been strengthened, especially from the dangerous zones of Africa.
Medics are alerted and trained to identify cases. Developments are being made to obtain vaccines and drugs to combat the pathogen. In other words, Ebola in Russia will receive a strong rebuff, it will not be allowed to spread throughout the country.
To rest or not to rest, that is the question?
Tourism, often a major source of government revenue, is a defining reason why many countries are reluctant to close orrestrict entry. Of course, this applies primarily to Liberia, Tunisia and a number of other “sick” states.
However, do not forget about the typical Russian resort destinations, also located in Africa. Surely many are interested in the question of whether there is Ebola in Egypt. According to the latest statements by the local government, outbreaks of such an epidemic have not yet been noted. To prevent them, a set of measures and severe restrictions are being carried out.
To go or take a ticket, everyone decides for himself. After a preliminary examination to identify possible deviations in the state of he alth, with strict adherence to hygiene rules, preventive and timely intake of antiviral drugs, the risk of infection can be minimized. Especially since Ebola has not been reported in Egypt.
What is the outlook for life?
Having studied in detail the history of the issue (what is Ebola, what is its clinic and the consequences of emerging violations), one can understand why the International He alth Organization recognized the epidemic that arose on a hot continent as an emergency for the whole world. Moreover, in the current conditions of international travel and contacts, containment of the boundaries of the spread of such an infection becomes almost impossible.
High mortality rates, high virulence, lack of adequate means and methods of helping the sick are frightening and reminiscent of disaster films with a sad ending, especially stories about biological weapons that came out ofunder control. And if we take into account that the history of mankind moves in a spiral, and around the beginning of the last century, millions of lives were claimed by the "Spanish woman", you will inevitably believe in the theory of natural selection. The only hope rests with scientists who have repeatedly saved the world population from various deadly factors. In the meantime, all that remains is to think about the good, listen to the instructions of Korney Ivanovich Chukovsky and hum softly: “Africa is terrible, yes, yes, yes! Africa is dangerous, yes, yes, yes! Don't go to Africa, kids, ever!"
Instead of an epilogue
It should be added that, according to the latest WHO data from the end of October 2014, Nigeria has officially declared victory over such a disease as Ebola. The news, as well as such statements, are based on the fact that for more than 40 days there has not been a single new outbreak of this disease in the country. About a week earlier, the spread of the pathogen had been stopped in Senegal. Summing up all of the above, it can be confirmed that any pathology can and should be resisted. And such difficult periods in the development of mankind will go down in the history of epidemiology, allowing in the future to take into account all the mistakes and shortcomings and not allowing pathogens to prevail over a reasonable person.
