Ebola virus disease chalange in INDIA.

Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola
haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness
in humans. The Ebola virus is transmitted to people
from wild animals and spreads in the human
population through human-to-human
transmission.The Ebola virus causes an acute,
serious illness which is often fatal if
untreated. There are currently no licensed Ebola
vaccines but 2 potential candidates are undergoing
evaluation.
History of Ebola: Ebola virus disease (EVD) first
appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks, one
in Nzara, Sudan, and the other in Yambuku,
Democratic Republic of Congo. The Yambuku
outbreak occurred in a village near the Ebola River,
from which the disease takes its name. The current
outbreak in west Africa is the largest and most
complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was
first discovered in 1976. The first cases were
notified in March 2014. The most severely affected
countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have
very weak health systems, lacking human and
infrastructural resources, having only recently
emerged from long periods of conflict and
instability.
Ebola Virus Strains
There are 5 species of Ebola Virus (belonging to
the virus family Filoviridae) that have been
identified: Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Reston and
Taï Forest. The first 3, Bundibugyo ebolavirus, Zaire
ebolavirus , and Sudan ebolavirus have been
associated with large outbreaks in Africa. The virus
causing the 2014 west African outbreak belongs to
the Zaire species.
The Ebola virus is a member of RNA virus
known as ‘Filoviriade’.
The Ebola virus is the world’s third deadliest
infectious disease after HIV.
The new strain of Ebola is called Ebola Tai
(WHO).
Transmission of Ebola
It is thought that fruit bats of the Pteropodidae
family are natural Ebola virus hosts. Ebola is
introduced into the human population through
close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or
other bodily fluids of infected animals such as
chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest
antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the
rainforest.
Ebola then spreads through human-to-human
transmission via direct contact (through broken
skin or mucous membranes) with the blood,
secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected
people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g.
bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.
Symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease
The Ebola
virus
causes
hemorrhagic fever which begins it’s effect in 4 to 10
days after the infection. Symptoms are such as
fever, chills, loss of appetite, headache etc. As the
disease advances more symptoms such as
vomiting, sore throat, diarrhea, chest pain and
bleeding may occur. Incubation period for this virus
is from two to twenty one days. People may be
exposed to the Ebola virus from direct contact with
the blood and secretions of infected person. It
attacks every part of the human body and disrupts
immune system which finally may lead to death.
Ebola Virus Disease – A Challenge to India
Ebola which is native of African continent is
spreading to many other countries through the
people who are affected by this virus. When
affected people from countries like Guinea,
Liberia,Sierra Leone moved to other countries, the
virus spread. There was strict ban from the side of
many countries on natives from West African
nations. But the disease has already spread to non-
Africans and the scrutiny became tough. All the
countries near by Africa are scrutinizing in their
respective airports. Medical checkup is done to the
passengers from Africa. But unfortunately they may
not be recognized as infected because the virus
takes almost 21 days to incubate. So even if the
person is affected he is not able to be identified.
India is also taking measures so that the virus
should not be spread to the country. But there are
thousands of Indians who are working in Ebola
infected areas in Africa. If they return to their
homeland – India – then chances of spreading of
the virus is there. It’s really a big challenge to India
to tackle the virus. Although the government is
making efforts to screen the people at international
airports, the potential threat is still there. Dense
population and poor sanitation are the main
problems to tackle Ebola in India. Health care
services in India are abysmal.
Measures
1. Reducing the risk of wildlife-to-human
transmission.
2. Reducing the risk of human-to-human
transmission.
3. Outbreak containment measures.
Currently there is no licensed vaccine to treat the
disease. Healthcare workers are among the biggest
segment of affected people. People who are
affected by Ebola are not revealing because of the
fear of isolation. Suggested measures to tackle
Ebola include hospitals with isolation wards and
improved surveillance. Health care workers must be
trained to handle Ebola patients. Strict screening
must be done at airports not only to the people
who come from African countries but also to
everyone as the virus has already spread to other
countries. People who are identified with the
symptoms of Ebola virus disease must be
immediately treated by the medical personnel and
should be strictly monitored from time to time.
Government should provide awareness to the
people about the virus so that people can be
cautious and can go for medical checkup if
symptoms appear.