Africa. Ebola fever. Announcers are constantly anxious to report on the emergence on our planet Earth of another epidemic focus of a fierce virus that ruthlessly kills thousands of lives. The name “Ebola” hides an extremely contagious disease with the highest mortality among contact 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 that 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 region of the water channel of the river of the same name, which later defined its name as "Ebola fever." Countries where epidemic foci were first recorded have given their name to the 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 the surrounding states until 2014. Since that time, the disease has spread to many countries, creating a threat of a planetary scale (as defined by leading scientists of WHO).
How can I get infected?
What is Ebola fever has become a little understood. But how to save yourself from such an insidious sore? It is known that the development of pathology requires direct contact with the carrier of the virus. And for this, at least until recently, it was necessary to travel to the black continent, since Africa is the main natural guardian of such an infection.
It has been observed that the increased humidity of the local forests, as well as the western Pacific coast, creates favorable conditions for carriers of such diseases, including numerous primates, bats, antelopes and porcupines, often in close contact with local aborigines. Given the high infectious ability of the pathogen, a slight contact with the biological fluids of the patient, including blood, urine, saliva and other secretions, is sufficient.
The southern continent is famous for its specific funeral rites, as well as only partially and insufficiently observed there are rules of personal hygiene, illiteracy, including medical personnel, which also determines the predisposition of the majority of the population to infection with infectious diseases.
Characteristic clinic
The minimum time during which symptoms of the disease can develop after direct contact with the patient, 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 nonspecific reactions of the body to the introduction of antigen and the development of a stormy immunological response. Fever, aching muscles and the whole body, headache, sore throat, general weakness and weakness do not distinguish such a disease from the onset of influenza or similar acute respiratory viral manifestations.
The main difference is the appearance of veins or drops of blood in feces, urine, and vomit, as well as a hemorrhagic rash on the skin, sclera, intestines, due to the pathology of the pathogen to the vascular endothelium and the development of internal or external bleeding, which is the main cause of death from a developed 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 the original, typical for the Ebola virus, antigenic structures, as well as protective antibodies produced by the body. In addition to blood, saliva and urine samples are examined. These are non-invasive screening methods used to screen the population and quickly identify infected people.
In laboratory analyzes of patients already ill, leuko- and thrombocytopenia, as well as liver cell cytolysis enzymes, indicating damage to this organ, are noted.
Hemorrhagic fever treatment
Difficulties in managing the course of the disease once again show the wayward nature of an infection such as Ebola. The news that the latest developments of the latest vaccines to combat such a dangerous pathology are only beginning to undergo clinical trials is disappointing.
As the main method of treatment, rehydration and detoxification therapy is currently being used , which restores the disturbed water-electrolyte balance of the body. Drugs are administered both intravenously and orally, depending on the severity of the patient's condition.
Experimentally created products based on immune serums do not achieve the proper clinical effect. It may take some time to get an effective and safe drug, which depresses the mood even more and frightens the public consciousness, because we have known what Ebola fever has been for more than 30 years, but an effective remedy has not yet been received.
Epidemic Precautions
It is important to remember that all known especially dangerous infections must be quickly and accurately localized. Ebola fever also applies to the above, the latest recommendations for which should be strictly observed.
Quarantine isolation measures for all contact persons, as well as hospital staff, must be fully implemented. All contaminated materials, including clothing, underwear, personal hygiene items, as well as medical supplies in the form of syringes, droppers, gloves and similar items, should, if possible, be well disinfected or disposed of in accordance with sanitary standards.
And, of course, it is necessary to timely and fully notify the population that this ailment is such - Ebola fever. The latest news regarding all aspects of this problem, as well as a possible threat and recommendations for protection against virus infection, will be extremely useful, especially to people in African countries.
Should we be afraid of an epidemic in Russia?
According to domestic virologists, Ebola fever will not spread in Russia. Even when an infection is brought into the territory of our homeland, Russians have no reason to worry about the likelihood of an epidemic. Of course, tourist routes were also laid in the direction of the infected countries, which, of course, should be taken into account when planning future vacations abroad.
At the borders, control measures have been strengthened for visitors, especially from dangerous areas of Africa.
Doctors are warned and trained to identify cases. Developments are being made to obtain vaccines and drugs to combat the pathogen. In other words, Ebola fever in Russia will receive a tough rebuff, it will not be allowed to fly around the country.
Rest or not rest, is that the question?
Tourism, which is often the main source of revenue for the state budget, is the determining reason why many countries do not want to close or restrict entry. Of course, this applies, first of all, to Liberia, Tunisia and a number of other “diseased” 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 recent statements by the local government, outbreaks of such an epidemic have not yet been noted. To prevent them, sets of measures and severe restrictions are carried out.
To go or take a ticket, each determines their own. After a preliminary examination to identify possible deviations in the state of health, with strict observance of hygiene rules, prophylactic and timely intake of antiviral drugs, the risk of infection can be minimized. Moreover, Ebola was not observed in Egypt.
What is the prognosis for life?
Having studied in detail the history of the issue (what is Ebola fever, what is its clinic and the consequences of the occurring violations), one can understand why the International Health Organization recognized the epidemic that emerged on a hot continent as an emergency for the whole world. Moreover, in the current conditions of international travel and contacts, the containment of the boundaries of the spread of such an infection becomes almost impossible.
High mortality rates, great virulence, and the lack of adequate means and methods of helping patients scare and remind the plots of disaster films with a sad ending, especially the story of biological weapons that got out of control. And given that the history of mankind is moving in a spiral, and about the beginning of the last century, the Spaniard claimed millions of lives, you will inevitably believe in the theory of natural selection. The only hope lies with scientists who have repeatedly saved the world population from various lethal factors. In the meantime, it remains only to think about the good, to heed the instructions of Korney Ivanovich Chukovsky and quietly hum: “Africa is terrible, yes, yes! Africa is dangerous, yes, yes, yes! Do not go to Africa, children, never! ”
Instead of an epilogue
It should be added that, according to the latest WHO data from the end of October 2014, in Nigeria, a victory over a disease such as Ebola was officially declared. The news, as well as such statements, are based on the fact that for more than 40 days in the country there has not been a single new outbreak of this ailment. About a week before the spread of the pathogen was stopped in Senegal. Summing up all of the above, we can confirm 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 errors and shortcomings and not allowing pathogens to prevail over a reasonable person.