Ebola outbreak now a global health emergency: Should India be worried? Check how it spreads, early signs, symptoms

The rising cases of Ebola continue to concern people worldwide. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency. More than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths have been reported by the rare virus, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Africa).

Ebola outbreak and its potential impact on India

While the WHO said the Ebola outbreak doesn't meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency like COVID-19, the question remains-- should India be worried?

As of now, no cases of Ebola virus have been reported by the Indian Health Ministry. Reportedly, the last case of Ebola was detected in 2014.

While there is no immediate cause for panic over the Ebola outbreak, people are advised to remain cautious and informed about the virus. From early detection to symptoms to prevention, here’s everything you need to know about Ebola.

What is Ebola?

According to the WHO, Ebola disease (EBOD) is a rare but severe illness in humans, which can often be fatal. It is caused by viruses that belong to the Orthoebolavirus genus of the filoviridae family. There are six species of Orthoebolaviruses which have been identified till date. Among these six, three are known to cause large outbreaks. They are Ebola virus (EBOV) causing Ebola virus disease (EVD), Sudan virus (SUDV) causing Sudan virus disease (SVD) and Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) causing Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).

The recent outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which is said to be rare. It has been responsible for only two previously reported outbreaks of Ebola.

How does it spread

Ebola can spread from an infected person to a healthy individual in numerous ways, such as:

1. Contact with infected animals such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope, or porcupines
2. Exposure to the blood, organs, secretions, or bodily fluids of infected animals
3. Direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person
4. Contact through broken skin or mucous membranes
5. Touching contaminated objects or surfaces carrying infected body fluids, including blood, vomit, or faeces
6. Close contact while caring for infected patients without precautions
7. Unsafe burial practices involving direct contact with the body of a deceased Ebola patient.

Notably, Ebola patients become infectious only after symptoms begin to show. It can continue to spread the virus as long as it remains in their blood.

Common symptoms and signs for early detection

Symptoms of Ebola may appear between two and 21 days after infection. These symptoms can develop suddenly. Some common symptoms are fever, fatigue and weakness, malaise, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, skin rash and impaired kidney and liver function.

However, these symptoms may vary in severe cases. Patients in extreme cases of Ebola may also experience internal or external bleeding, blood in vomit or faeces, bleeding nose, gums, or vagina, bleeding at injection or needle puncture sites.

Prevention

The Ebola virus can also attack the central nervous system in rare cases, causing confusion, irritability and aggression.

Ebola can be prevented with active measures such as below:

1. Avoid contact with infected wildlife such as fruit bats, monkeys, and apes
2. Do not consume raw or undercooked bushmeat
3. Avoid direct contact with infected individuals and their body fluids
4. Isolate infected patients in designated treatment centres
5. Follow proper hygiene and maintain a clean environment
6. Monitor people exposed to infected patients for 21 days
7. Practice safe and dignified burial practices
8. Separate healthy individuals from infected patients to prevent spread
9. Promote community awareness and open discussion about the disease
10. Vaccination may be used in certain Ebola outbreaks to reduce transmission

As per the WHO, two vaccines are approved to fight Ebola. These are Ervebo (Merck & Co) and Zabdeno and Mvabea (Janssen Pharmaceutica). The Ervebo vaccine is recommended.