TELEDATA

5
TH
August 2014

Dr. K. Owusu-Asare MB chB
KORLE-BU TEACHING HOSP.
Ebola Viral Disease Outbreak in West Africa
OUTLINE
Introduction
The Virus
History of disease
Outbreak in west africa
Clinical presentation
Mode of Transmission
Methods of Prevention


What is Ebola Viral Disease (EVD)?
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Ebola is a disease caused by a virus.
It spreads quickly from person to person in a short
time but can be prevented.
There is no ??vaccine for Ebola
Seeking early treatment improves the chance of
survival.
The patient infected with Ebola must be
isolated to prevent spread to others,
placed in intensive care and rehydrated by infusion or oral
fluids

THE VIRUS
History
First noticed in 1976 in DRC and in Sudan

Ebola river in DRC from which the name emerged

In these two instances mortality was 50%-90%

Following these epidemics, Ebola has hit many
countries in Africa

Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
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The World health Organization
(WHO) was notified of EVD
outbreak in
Guinea: 13 March 2014
Liberia: 31 March 2014
Sierra Leone: 26 May 2014
Nigeria:24-27 July 2014
Numbers Affected As At 27 July 2014
Guinea
Cumulative number : 460 cases with 339 deaths (336
confirmed cases with 218 deaths)
Sierra Leone
Cumulative number : 533 cases with 233 deaths (473
confirmed cases with 195 deaths)
Liberia
Cumulative number : 329 cases with 156 deaths (100
confirmed cases with 72 deaths)
Nigeria
Cumulative number: 1

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How does Ebola present?

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After 2 to 21 days after being infected a person suffering
from Ebola presents with
Sudden onset of high grade fever with any of
the following:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Skin rash
In addition, a patient may also have:
Blood spots in the eyes
Blood in the vomit
Blood in the sputum or stool
Bleeding from the nose and other body parts

How is it spread?

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Ebola is spread through
the following ways:
Direct physical contact
with body fluids like
blood, saliva, stool,
vomitus, urine, and sweat
of an infected person and
soiled linen used by a
patient
Splashing of body fluids
from an infected person
into the eyes of another
person
Sharp instruments such as
needles that have been
used by an infected person
Handling of persons who
have died of Ebola

Eating dead animals
especially monkeys and
bats that died of Ebola

Ne pas toucher, ni manger la viande des animaux trouvs
morts dans la foret (singe, gorille, chimpanz, rat)
How can Ebola be prevented?

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There is no human
vaccine
The only way to reduce
human infection and
death is raising
awareness of the
risk factors of Ebola
infection and
the protective measures
individuals can take

Ebola can be prevented as follows:
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Take persons suspected to
be suffering from Ebola to
the nearest health facility
immediately for proper
management
Use strong protective wear
like gloves, goggles, and
masks in care of Ebola
patients
Bury immediately under
strict supervision persons
who have died of Ebola



Avoid direct contact with
body fluids of a person
suffering from Ebola by
using protective
materials

Ebola can be prevented as follows:

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Report of any suspected
cases of Ebola to the
nearest health unit
immediately
Wash hands with soap and
water after handling a
patient or the body of a
person who has died of
Ebola
Avoid communal washing
of hands during funeral
rites
Avoid eating dead animals
especially bats and
monkeys.
Provide information to
people about the nature of
the disease and how it can
be prevented.

Response Activities in Affected Countries
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WHO has mobilized different experts to support the
countries in all aspects of the epidemic control.
Important activities that have been undertaken
include
active search for cases in affected communities,
isolation of identified cases and management,
tracing and following up of contacts of cases
Raising awareness of risk factors and prevention of Ebola
Viral Disease among
health care workers,
affected communities and
the general public.
Preparedness Activities in Ghana
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An Ebola preparedness and response plan
developed
Alert sent to regions to enhance surveillance for
possible cases
There is laboratory capacity in-country to diagnose
a case
Public education ongoing
Training for health care workers and port health
staff
Personal protective equipment prepositioned
REFERENCES
www.who.int/
www.cdc.gov
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Thank you
Any questions?