Ebola outbreak: What is Ebola? How do you get Ebola? Is there a vaccine?

Ebola: Guinea Health Agency head declares a 'pandemic'

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An Ebola epidemic has been confirmed in Guinea amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The outbreak was confirmed after the deaths of at least three people from the virus. Four other people fell ill in the southeast confirming the first resurgence of the disease since the world’s worst outbreak from 2013 to 2016. Countries around the world are battling Covid-19 and now Guinea is also tackling an Ebola epidemic.

Guinea confirmed the country is dealing with an Ebola epidemic after three people died from the virus.

These three deaths, in addition to four others, fell ill with diarrhoea, vomiting and bleeding after attending the burial of a nurse.

During the height of the Ebola epidemic from 2013 to 2016, more than 11,000 people died in West Africa.

A World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Conakry said the agency would send help quickly.

What is Ebola?

Ebola is a viral disease which originated in Africa.

A person infected with Ebola typically develops a high temperature, headache, joint and muscle pain, sore throat and severe muscle weakness between two and 21 days after becoming infected.

These symptoms are usually followed by vomiting, diarrhoea and rash, along with decreased function of the liver and kidneys.

Some people may begin to bleed both internally and externally at this time.

There is a high risk of death associated with Ebola, with

The disease has a high risk of death, killing between 25 and 90 percent of those infected, with an average of about 50 percent dying.

Most fatalities result from low blood pressure from fluid loss and happen six to sixteen days after symptoms appear.

How do you get Ebola?

The Ebola virus disease is spread through contact with the blood, body fluids or organs of a person or animal with the infection.

The virus can be spread by directly touching the body of someone who has symptoms or recently died from the disease.

You can also contract the virus when cleaning up body fluids (blood, faeces, urine or vomit) or touching the soiled clothing of an infected person, with the virus able to survive for several days outside the body

Those touching unsterilised needles or medical equipment used in the care of the infected person may also contract the virus.

Having sex with an infected person without using a condom or handling or eating raw or undercooked “bushmeat” can also lead to someone catching Ebola.

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Is there a vaccine for Ebola?

There is currently no licensed treatment or vaccine for Ebola virus disease, despite many being developed and tested.

During the Ebola epidemic beginning in 2013, several vaccines were trialled in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

These vaccines have been used to fight outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

WHO representative Alfred George Ki-Zerbo told reporters: “We are going to rapidly deploy crucial assets to help Guinea, which already has considerable experience [treating the disease].

“The arsenal is stronger now and we will take advantage of that to contain this situation as fast as possible.

“The WHO is on full alert and is in contact with the manufacturer [of a vaccine] to ensure the necessary doses are made available as quickly as possible to help fight back.”

The 2013/2016 outbreak sped up the development of a vaccine against Ebola, with a global emergency stockpile of 500,000 doses planned to respond quickly to future outbreaks, the vaccine alliance Gavi said in January.

Fighting Ebola will place additional strain on health services in Guinea, as well as surrounding countries as they attempt to battle the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

So far, Guinea has reported 14,967 cases of coronavirus, of which 85 people have died.

Given the cross border trade between Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and their relatively weak healthcare systems, there is concern the outbreak could spread.

Liberia’s President George Weah has put the health authorities on heightened alert, however, no cases have been reported in the country so far.

In a statement, Mr Weah said: “The president’s instruction is intended to ensure Liberia acts proactively to avoid any epidemic situation, the kind Liberia witnessed in 2014.”

To prevent the spread of Ebola you should follow the following advice:

• Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or with hand sanitiser if soap is not available.
• Make sure fruit and vegetables are washed and peeled before you eat them
• Avoid physical contact with anyone who has possible symptoms of an infection
• Do not handle dead animals or their raw meat
• Do not eat “bushmeat” (wild animals that have been killed for food).

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