World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan declared that "the current outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease a public health emergency of international concern" during the WHO virtual press conference on August 8.
WebMD defined Ebola virus as "a rare but deadly virus that causes bleeding inside and outside the body". When it spreads through the entire body, it destructs the organs and the immune system. As it reduces the number of blood-clotting cells, it causes severe, uncontainable bleeding.
It being the "largest, most severe and most complex outbreak in the nearly four-decade history of this disease", it is not surprising that fear of the illness is now causing panic, particularly in West Africa. USA Today wrote that as of December of last year, 2,615 suspected or confirmed cases were reported in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Nigeria. But according to CDC Fact Sheet, confirmed cases were also reported in Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, South Sudan, Uganda, Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, and South Africa.
Symptoms for Ebola virus disease, formerly known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, include fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and lack of appetite. Some patients with this condition may also suffer from rash, red eyes, cough, hiccups, sore throat, difficulty breathing, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and bleeding inside and outside the body. These symptoms may be experienced from 2 to 21 days after exposure.
According to the report of BBC News, Ebola virus infects people when they get close to animals infected with the virus. These animals include fruit bats and chimpanzees. Spread of virus between humans is due to direct contact with infected blood, organs or bodily fluids, or through presence in the contaminated environments. Even attending funerals of victims of the disease may place people at risk, particularly if grievers have direct contact with the body of the dead person.
WebMD wrote that the best possible way to avoid being infected by Ebola virus disease is not to go to the countries or places where the virus is present. Healthcare workers should ensure that they wear gloves, masks, and goggles whenever they get near patients with this condition.
