Ebola: Killer Virus

Formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever which is a severe, often fatal illness.

From animals-to-humans and humans-to-humans through close contact with infected blood, secretions, organs or fluids as well as touch of contaminated objects.

The incubation period is 2-21 days.
Early stages:

• Sore throat
• Headache, fatigue
• Acute high fever
• Muscle pain

Advanced stages:

• Liver failure
• Kidney failure
• Diarrhea, vomiting
• Red rashes
• Internal and external bleeding
• Bleeding from nose
• Bleeding from anus
• Chest pain, difficulty breathing

YOU ARE UNLIKELY TO GET EBOLA.

“While travelers should be aware of Ebola, they will not contract the highly contagious, often fatal disease unless they actually touch someone who is showing active symptoms.”
-WHO & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

There is no medication or vaccine currently available for Ebola. Patients are given supportive care and treatment for the complications.

1. Register your trip, arrival-departure flights, accommodation and telephone number at the Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, in case of emergency.
2. Avoid close contact with wild animals, whether they appear sick or not.
3. Do not eat strange food from wild animals or meat from animals that died of an unknown cause, especially monkeys or bats.
4. Avoid direct contact with the body fluids such as blood or with contaminated belongings of patients.
5. Avoid direct contact with patients. If necessary, wear protective equipment and wash your hands regularly.
6. Seek medical care ASAP if you had suspicious symptoms.

Disease Control Measures in Thailand

To comply with the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declared by WHO:

• The International Disease Control Center is established to obtain the health records, check for fever, and monitor the health of people with a history of traveling in affected areas until 21 days after exposure.
• Anyone with a history of traveling in affected areas who develops a fever of greater than 38°C during 21 days after exposure should be reported to a public health officer for medical attention and laboratory testing immediately.

Source: Bureau of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Photo Credit: NIAID via Compfight cc