New Ebola outbreak detected in northwest Democratic Republic of the Congo

By Neucrad Health June 3, 2020

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced yesterday that a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease is occurring in Wangata health zone, Mbandaka, in Équateur province. Six Ebola cases have so far been detected in Wangata, of which four have died and two are alive and under care. According to world health organization (WHO), three of these six cases have been confirmed with laboratory testing. It is likely more people will be identified with the disease as surveillance activities increase.

Ebola was first reported in 1976. It was estimated that more than 11,000 people were killed by Ebola infection from 2014 to 2016.

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a rare and deadly disease. It affects both people and nonhuman primates (monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas). The Early symptoms of EVD such as fever, headache, and weakness are also commonly seen in patients suffering from malaria and typhoid fever. Ebola is spread over long distances by bats. Fruit Bats can directly infect humans. In human, Ebola infection is being passed to others via blood, secretions, and other bodily fluids.

Ebola outbreaks often reported in areas near to dense, equatorial forests. It is very difficult to reach these areas when international aid groups, healthcare personnel including vaccinators would like to get access. Importantly, the armed conflict between the government and rebel militant groups has hampered the international efforts to control this deadly infection significantly. World is expecting US to take an additive action to control this devastating outbreak.

Basic information about Transmission of Ebola virus

Ebola is a deadly virus belonging to the Filoviridae family. It originated among African fruit bats, and later transmitted to human beings as well. Scientists also refer to it as Filovirus considering the family of the pathogen. There are six subtypes of Ebola virus- Bundibugyo, Reston, Sudan, Taï Forest, Zaire, and Bombadil virus. Out of these six subtypes, only four of them infect human beings- Ebola, Sudan, Taï Forest, and Bundibugyo. Reston virus causes infection in nonhuman primates like pigs, and Bombadil Ebola virus is the last-identified subtype present primarily in bats. It is a zoonotic infection, as it gets transmitted from animals to human beings. Chimpanzees, forest antelopes, porcupines, monkeys, and gorillas carry the virus to human beings. The animals’ caretakers can get infected to this disease while coming in contact with their blood and body fluids of infected animals.

What are the symptoms of Ebola infection?

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention opined that the symptoms of Ebola infection usually manifest 8 to 10 days after exposure to the germs. Detailed below are the primary symptoms of Ebola infection.

•      Diarrhoea
•      Fever
•      Headache
•      Joint and muscle aches
•      Raised rash
•      Red eyes
•      Chills
•      Weakness
•      Chest pain
•      Sore throat
•      Severe weight loss
•      Internal bleeding
•      Bruising
•      Bleeding through eyes. As the disease becomes more complicated bleeding through ears, nose and rectum can also occur.