scholarly journals Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of ebola at the present stage

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57
Author(s):  
V. V Nikiforov ◽  
M. Z Shakhmardanov
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Internal Bleeding ◽  
Therapeutic Measures ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

The disease being caused by the Ebola virus (Ebola virus disease - EVD, Ebola haemorrhagic fever) referred to the genus Ebolaviruses - is a viral haemorrhagic fever in human and other primates subjects. There is a reason to consider frugivorous bats - the inhabitants of the tropics as the natural reservoir of the virus. The transmission from person to person by airborne droplets has not been proved. Signs and symptoms of the disease usually begin during the period from two days to three weeks after infection with fever virus, from sore throat, muscle pains and headaches. Then there are affiliated vomiting, diarrhea, rash, disorder of the function of liver and kidneys. In many patients there are adhered the external and internal bleeding. The mortality rate in this disease varies between 25 and 90 percent, in average about 50 percent. The cause of the lethal outcome in most cases is toxic shock and/or hypovolemic dehydration shock, which occurs usually after six to sixteen days from the onset of the disease. Therapy is limited to a complex ofpathogenetic therapeutic measures, as there is no specific treatment. EVD vaccines are at the final stages of the delivery.

scholarly journals The Ebola virus disease outbreak in Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone: a retrospective analysis of the Viral Haemorrhagic Fever surveillance system, July 2014–June 2015

2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Miglietta ◽  
Angelo Solimini ◽  
Ghyslaine Bruna Djeunang Dongho ◽  
Carla Montesano ◽  
Giovanni Rezza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever

AbstractIn Sierra Leone, the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak occurred with substantial differences between districts with someone even not affected. To monitor the epidemic, a community event-based surveillance system was set up, collecting data into the Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) database. We analysed the VHF database of Tonkolili district to describe the epidemiology of the EVD outbreak during July 2014–June 2015 (data availability). Multivariable analysis was used to identify risk factors for EVD, fatal EVD and barriers to healthcare access, by comparing EVD-positive vs. EVD-negative cases. Key-performance indicators for EVD response were also measured. Overall, 454 EVD-positive cases were reported. At multivariable analysis, the odds of EVD was higher among those reporting contacts with an EVD-positive/suspected case (odds ratio (OR) 2.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.44–2.50; P < 0.01) and those attending funeral (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01–1.04; P < 0.01). EVD cases from Kunike chiefdom had a lower odds of death (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.08–0.44; P < 0.01) and were also more likely to be hospitalised (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.23–4.57; P < 0.05). Only 25.1% of alerts were generated within 1 day from symptom onset. EVD preparedness and response plans for Tonkolili should include social-mobilisation activities targeting Ebola/knowledge-attitudes-practice during funeral attendance, to avoid contact with suspected cases and to increase awareness on EVD symptoms, in order to reduce delays between symptom onset to alert generation and consequently improve the outbreak-response promptness.

scholarly journals Emergence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD): Key Facts

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-37
Author(s):  
Md Mahfuzar Rahman ◽  
Farnaz Mehrin ◽  
Fahim Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Global Threat

The modern emerging infection Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is of global threat originates from Africa region. This is zoonotic and identified as human diseases or previously called Ebola hemorrhagic fever which is a highly fatal human illness where case fatality rate is found up to 90%. The virus transmission begins from wild animals to human and then spreads within population through human to human. Fruit bats are found as natural host of Ebola virus. There is no specific treatment or vaccine available in the market so far, intensive supportive care is needed for severely ill patients. This paper highlights background information, problem statement, viral characteristics, mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention & vaccination. It also indicates possible actions towards prevention of transmission & personal protection.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 6, No. 1: January 2015, Pages 35-37

scholarly journals Evaluation of viral haemorrhagic fever surveillance system with focus on Ebola virus disease, Bawku municipality- Upper East Region, Ghana, 2011- 2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-25
Author(s):  
Francis Broni ◽  
Joseph Larbi ◽  
Edwin Afari ◽  
Kofi Nyarko ◽  
Donne Ameme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance System ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Standard Case ◽  
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
East Region ◽  
Upper East Region

Background: We evaluated the Viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) surveillance system from 2011 to 2015 in the Bawku Municipality, Upper East region, Ghana to determine whether the goals of the surveillance system are being met and to assess the performance of the system attributes.Design: Descriptive secondary data analysis.Setting: Bawku MunicipalityData Source: Review VHF surveillance records, interviewed community-based surveillance volunteers (CBSVs) and reviewed vital events registers. We also assessed the system attributes by reviewing records and interviewing key stakeholders involved in VHF surveillance system with focus on Ebola using checklist and semi structured questionnaire developed based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.Main outcome measure: System attributes of the VHF surveillance systemResults: Population under surveillance was 105,849. The system required detail information about suspected cases. However, it had a simple and clear standard case definitions, and was well integrated with the IDSR. There is a regular and timely flow of information. The system captured 155 suspected cases nationwide from 2011 to 2015 and all tested negative. Of these, Upper East Region reported 10 suspected cases including 4 suspected cases from Bawku Municipality.Conclusion: The VHF surveillance system achieved its objectives. However, poor data quality, inadequately trained surveillance officers, and inadequate financial support are threats to the effectiveness of the system.Keywords: Viral haemorrhagic fever, surveillance system evaluation, attributes, Bawku Municipality, GhanaFunding: This work was supported by Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (GFELTP), University of Ghana

Case 45

2020 ◽  
pp. 307-310
Author(s):  
Andrew Woodhouse
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Consistent Approach

The term viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) describes a syndrome caused by a diverse group of viral infections. The recent Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Arica has heightened awareness of viral haemorrhagic fevers in non-endemic countries. A robust and consistent approach to the early recognition of possible VHF is crucial to appropriate management. The EVD epidemic has led to renewed interest and effort in treatment and vaccine development directed at Ebola virus and other causes of VHF.

Filoviruses

2020 ◽  
pp. 870-877
Author(s):  
Jan H. ter Meulen
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Great Apes ◽  
Marburg Virus ◽  
Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Zoonotic Viruses ◽  
Bush Meat ◽  
Mode Of Transmission ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

Filoviruses are large RNA viruses, of which Ebola virus and Marburg virus cause the most severe forms of viral haemorrhagic fever and have been best-studied because of fear of their misuse as bioterrorism agents. These are zoonotic viruses with reservoirs, most likely fruit-eating bats, in the rainforests of tropical Africa, where they cause sporadic infections and outbreaks among great apes and humans. The primary mode of transmission of Ebola virus to humans often involves contact of hunters with dead animals that serve as amplifying hosts, especially gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest antelopes, whose meat is consumed as ‘bush meat’. Contact with bats has been implicated for both Marburg and Ebola virus. However, the viruses are highly infectious and are transmitted from the index case and subsequently from person to person by all body fluids, including sweat, respiratory droplets, and semen. The viruses can persist in convalescent patients for many months.

scholarly journals Contextual, Social and Epidemiological Characteristics of the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Likati Health Zone, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. L. Grimes ◽  
Bonaventure Fuamba Ngoyi ◽  
Kristen B. Stolka ◽  
Jennifer J. Hemingway-Foday ◽  
Leopold Lubula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreak ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Health Zone ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

scholarly journals Peripheral Neuronopathy Associated With Ebola Virus Infection in Rhesus Macaques: A Possible Cause of Neurological Signs and Symptoms in Human Ebola Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (10) ◽  
pp. 1745-1755
Author(s):  
David X Liu ◽  
Donna L Perry ◽  
Timothy K Cooper ◽  
Louis M Huzella ◽  
Randy J Hart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Neuronal Degeneration ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Neurological Signs ◽  
Enteric Ganglia ◽  
Transmission Electron

Abstract Neurological signs and symptoms are the most common complications of Ebola virus disease. However, the mechanisms underlying the neurologic manifestations in Ebola patients are not known. In this study, peripheral ganglia were collected from 12 rhesus macaques that succumbed to Ebola virus (EBOV) disease from 5 to 8 days post exposure. Ganglionitis, characterized by neuronal degeneration, necrosis, and mononuclear leukocyte infiltrates, was observed in the dorsal root, autonomic, and enteric ganglia. By immunohistochemistry, RNAscope in situ hybridization, transmission electron microscopy, and confocal microscopy, we confirmed that CD68+ macrophages are the target cells for EBOV in affected ganglia. Further, we demonstrated that EBOV can induce satellite cell and neuronal apoptosis and microglial activation in infected ganglia. Our results demonstrate that EBOV can infect peripheral ganglia and results in ganglionopathy in rhesus macaques, which may contribute to the neurological signs and symptoms observed in acute and convalescent Ebola virus disease in human patients.

scholarly journals Quarantine for Zika Virus? Where is the Science?

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 704-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi L. Koenig
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
World Health ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Spread Of Infection

AbstractIn January 2016, the World Health Organization warned that Zika virus is “spreading explosively” in the Americas and that up to 4 million infections could be present worldwide within a year. Soon thereafter, some politicians and authors publicly advocated for quarantine of travelers returning from regions where mosquitoes carrying Zika virus are prevalent. The public health tool of quarantine can be used to prevent the spread of infection by restricting the movement of persons who have been exposed to a deadly disease that can be transmitted from person to person before symptom onset. With 80% of Zika virus infections being asymptomatic, no rapid test being available to detect the virus, and primary transmission being via the bites of certain mosquitoes, application of quarantine in this setting is not scientifically sound or practically feasible. Rather, public health interventions should focus on preventing bites from infected mosquitoes, counseling pregnant women on the risks of fetal microcephaly and other birth defects, and identifying patients with signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome. As was seen in the Ebola virus disease outbreak of 2014, non-evidence-based factors can influence policy decisions. Public health experts must ensure that policy makers are informed that quarantine is not a scientifically sound approach for the control of Zika virus. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;0:1–3)

scholarly journals Lessons learned from implementation of a national hotline for Ebola virus disease emergency preparedness in South Sudan

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Velma K. Lopez ◽  
Sharmila Shetty ◽  
Angelo Thon Kouch ◽  
Matthew Tut Khol ◽  
Richard Lako ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Humanitarian Emergency

Abstract Background The world’s second largest Ebola outbreak occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2018 to 2020. At the time, risk of cross-border spread into South Sudan was very high. Thus, the South Sudan Ministry of Health scaled up Ebola preparedness activities in August 2018, including implementation of a 24-h, toll-free Ebola virus disease (EVD) hotline. The primary purpose was the hotline was to receive EVD alerts and the secondary goal was to provide evidence-based EVD messages to the public. Methods To assess whether the hotline augmented Ebola preparedness activities in a protracted humanitarian emergency context, we reviewed 22 weeks of call logs from January to June 2019. Counts and percentages were calculated for all available data. Results The hotline received 2114 calls during the analysis period, and an additional 1835 missed calls were documented. Callers used the hotline throughout 24-h of the day and were most often men and individuals living in Jubek state, where the national capital is located. The leading reasons for calling were to learn more about EVD (68%) or to report clinical signs or symptoms (16%). Common EVD-related questions included EVD signs and symptoms, transmission, and prevention. Only one call was documented as an EVD alert, and there was no documentation of reported symptoms or whether the person met the EVD case definition. Conclusions Basic surveillance information was not collected from callers. To trigger effective outbreak investigation from hotline calls, the hotline should capture who is reporting and from where, symptoms and travel history, and whether this information should be further investigated. Electronic data capture will enhance data quality and availability of information for review. Additionally, the magnitude of missed calls presents a major challenge. When calls are answered, there is potential to provide health communication, so risk communication needs should be considered. However, prior to hotline implementation, governments should critically assess whether their hotline would yield actionable data and if other data sources for surveillance or community concerns are available.

scholarly journals EBOLA VIRUS THREAT: AWARENESS, EDUCATION AND PREPAREDNESS

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-50
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zubair Tahir
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Spinal Column ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
High Population Density ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
And Training

Background: Ebola virus (EBOV) is a real threat and Ebola virus disease (EVD) can be transferred to any country. International flights in a country enhance the risk of an EBOV outbreak and its spread, especially in thickly populated cities. There is a great need for awareness among common persons, health professionals and decision-makers about EVD and preparedness to manage an outbreak. Objective: The main objective of the study was to describe Ebola virus characteristics, mode of spread, risk factors, signs and symptoms, persistence, and preventions. Methods: PubMed was searched with keywords, and 700 articles were found. Abstracts of all searched articles were reviewed. WHO and CDC websites were explored for relevant information. Results: Contact with EVD patient's body fluids is the strongest risk factor. Although the incubation period of EBOV is from 2 to 21 days, while usually symptoms are developed between 4 and 10 days after exposure of Ebola virus. Similarities of signs and symptoms with other infectious diseases, mostly lead misdiagnosis. EBOV proteins reduce the human immune system's response to viral infections. In EVD survivors, Ebola virus can remain in semen, breast milk, ocular (eye) fluid, and spinal column fluid. It is very difficult to control and manage an outbreak of Ebola virus in areas of high population density areas. Conclusion: Awareness, knowledge, and education about EVD among populations and clinicians can decrease fear, risk, and fatalities. Preparedness and training to HCWs can minimise the risk of EVD especially in thickly populated cities and areas of a country.

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