Ebola virus; It is a virus that has spread regionally in African countries, has no vaccine, and has caused an epidemic. Ebola virus disease (EVD), which has symptoms such as high fever, internal and external bleeding, is fatal. Vaccine and drug studies continue today for the treatment of Ebola virus disease, which has continued to be transmitted without losing its effect since the 1970s, and whose death rate reached 90% in its most dangerous periods. There is no recorded case of this disease in Turkey yet.
What is the Ebola Virus?
The Ebola virus was transmitted from monkeys, bats and some other animals to humans and then spread among humans; It is a virus from the filovirus group that causes severe illness. Sudden onset of fever, followed by severe flu-like symptoms and bleeding indicate the presence of the ebola virus.
In some African countries, the inadequacy of the health system and the lack of living conditions in accordance with the hygiene rules made it difficult to control the ebola virus disease. The way to stop the EVD epidemic is to improve the living standards and the quality of health services in the regions where the virus has emerged.
When and Where Did the Ebola Virus First Appear?
The Ebola virus takes its name from the Ebola river in a village where it first appeared. In the 1970s, the ebola virus epidemic was seen in the central and western regions of Africa in remote villages where health services were inadequate and living conditions were difficult. The virus seen in Congo and Sudan in 1976 in the form of an epidemic; It has also affected many African countries such as Nigeria, Uganda and Gabon. The Ebola virus continues to spread.
Ebola virus has not been seen in Turkey so far. However, there is a risk of the disease being seen in Turkey, as the increase in international transportation and interaction thanks to the developing technologies makes the health problem seen in a region a global problem that concerns everyone. Care should be taken when traveling to countries with an EVD epidemic, and the person should be isolated for at least 10 days after the trip. It is vital that those who show symptoms immediately apply to a health institution.
How Is Ebola Virus Transmitted?
The exact origin of the Ebola virus is unclear. The results of the researches show that fruit bats are the natural host of the virus. The initial transmission of the virus to humans is thought to have been through animals such as fruit bats and monkeys. It is claimed that animals carrying the Ebola virus transmit the virus to humans, both through blood and contact, and by consuming their meat without cleaning and cooking it sufficiently.
The Ebola virus can be transmitted from animals to humans as well as from person to person. The spread of the disease among humans occurs through blood and all kinds of bodily fluids. A person infected with the Ebola virus can only start transmitting the virus to other people as soon as they show symptoms. Contact with the bodily secretions of an infected person (saliva, urine, feces, semen, etc.) and having sexual intercourse with a person carrying the virus can cause transmission of the virus.
In areas where health services are inadequate, people’s inability to access sterilized medical supplies, insufficient protective equipment, contact between people with the virus and healthy people, and contact with a person who has died due to the virus are the causes of Ebola virus transmission.
Ebola virus outbreak can be kept under control by paying attention to health and hygiene rules. Preventive measures should be taken to avoid contracting the Ebola virus. Things to consider in order to minimize the spread of the virus are as follows:
• The meat of animals known as Ebola virus hosts should not be consumed.
•Animal products should not be consumed raw without being meticulously cleaned.
• Persons carrying the virus must be quarantined.
• It is necessary to pay attention to hand cleaning.
•Protective and sterile materials must be supplied to healthcare workers.
Ebola Virus Symptoms
The infected person begins to show symptoms of the Ebola virus within a 2-21 day incubation period. In the period when the virus begins to show its first symptoms, the symptoms of the disease are similar to the symptoms of influenza infection. This makes it difficult to diagnose EVD in the early stages of the disease.
A person with the virus will have a fever as if they have the flu, have aches in their head and other parts of their body, become nauseous and sluggish. In severe cases, bloody diarrhea, skin rash and cough can be seen. Internal and external hemorrhages in the body and organ failure as a result of the failure of the organs to perform their functions, which are seen in the advanced stages of the disease, are the distinguishing symptoms of Ebola.
The symptoms of Ebola virus such as difficulty in breathing, heart failure, and shock are seen in people, which indicates that the disease spreads and progresses rapidly. uncontrollable state
This disease often results in death.
Ebola Virus Treatment
Ebola virus disease is an epidemic that results in approximately 50% fatalities. There are 5 variants of the Ebola virus. Among them, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Zaire Ebola and Tai Forest varieties are ebola viruses that cause epidemics and deaths. In particular, the Zaire ebola virus is known as the type of virus that has caused the most deaths so far.
Before Ebola virus treatment is given, the person should be diagnosed with the virus definitively. It should be determined that the symptoms of Ebola in the person are not caused by diseases such as malaria, typhoid, and cholera. The virus in the blood should be detected by various blood tests.
There is no fully developed, fully effective Ebola virus vaccine yet. Today, drug and vaccine studies continue. There is no specific treatment method for Ebola that will eliminate the effects of the virus on people. Supportive care treatments are applied to reduce the destruction of the findings seen in this disease in the body.
Treatments that increase the minerals known as electrolytes in the blood and cells are also applied to balance the body fluid. Fluid and electrolytes in the body decrease over time due to infection. In these cases, electrolyte and fluid support is given to the infected person to maintain balance. Due to the damage caused by the virus in the organs, some patients may not be able to feed orally. Such patients are treated by intravenous feeding.