Ebola Outbreak-2014: A Global Crisis Unfolding - Research Paper Example

8 December Ebola Outbreak A Global Crisis Unfolding Ebola is a viral disease that is a severe and fatal illness in humans. It was formerly known as the Ebola hemorrhagic fever. The disease is transmitted to people from wild animals and is spread form one human to another. The first Ebola outbreak was first reported in remote areas of Central Africa in a village near the tropical forest. The recent outbreak in West Africa has been reported in both the rural and urban areas. Ebola virus causes an acute and serious illness which is fatal if untreated. The first appearance was in 1976 in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. During this year (2014), in the month of March, Ebola virus was discovered again. This has proved to be one of the most complex forms of Ebola. It has so far spread to many parts of Africa in countries such as Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Most of the affected nations lack good infrastructure for health services and transportation. It is believed that the origin of Ebola is from bat. According to WHO (“Ebola Virus Disease”), “Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as Chimpanzee”. Across the human being, the transmission is made through contact with blood, secretions and body fluids of the infected people. Health care personnel have been the victims of contamination in the process of diagnosing a suspected person or an already infected one. Even in the state of “dead” the corpse is risky to touch or have close contact with. Symptoms of Ebola The symptoms of Ebola disease are as given below by Mayo Clinic Staff (“Ebola Virus”): Fever Severe headache Joint and muscles pain Chills Weakness As time goes by, the symptoms become increasingly severe and become as follows: Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea which could include blood Red eyes Raised rash Chest pain and coughing Massive weight loss Bleeding especially form the eyes. At the point of death, the person will bleed from all body openings such as the eyes, ears, nose and the rectum. Internal bleeding is also experienced. Ebola Outbreak Review The Ministry of Health of Guinea gave a notice to the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2014 briefing them of the rapidly evolving Ebola disease. The first cases had been reported at Gueckedou, Macenta and Kissidougou. These regions border forest areas. It was later reported in the capital city of Conakry. The samples collected tested positive for the virus. On 30th march 2014, the Ministry of Health in Liberia reported its first Ebola case and on 25th may 2014, the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone also reported the case. According to WHO (“Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response Plan in West Africa”) report, by 30th July 2014, more than 1360 cases had been reported and 767 deaths reported. Nigeria reported its first case on July 27th 2014 and the authorities worked together to contain the case within the source. Since there is no approved vaccine available for the treatment of Ebola, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has provided the following as preventives measure for Ebola. They are directed to anyone who has traveled to Ebola stricken areas (CDC, “Ebola”): One should practice good hygiene for example washing hands and avoid being in contact with blood and fluids. Avoid coming in contact with the blood of an infected person or his fluids. You should not handle any item that may have been in contact with the victim’s fluids. Avoid any practice that requires that the body of the dead is handled. Avoid eating raw meat prepared from bats and animals. Upon return from affected regions, one is advised to monitor his health for close to 21 days and later seek medical care if on suspicion to have symptoms of Ebola. And for the healthcare workers, they are expected to (CDC, “Ebola”): Ensure that they wear approved personal protective equipment at all times. Practice proper infection and control measures. Ebola victims should be isolated form other people. If incase the healthcare worker gets into contact with the Ebola victim of his fluids, the virus can enter into his body through the damaged skin or the unprotected mucous membranes. In one of the quick responses to Ebola outbreak by WHO and the governments of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, they had to request for financial support so as to implement the Ebola outbreak response plans, and provide a priority plan for the activities for the duration of 6 months; this action would enhance the response in the region. The funds shall aid WHO and the affected countries to engage all stakeholders in coordination to ensure effective support to the affected countries. When the disease first appeared, it was graded at level two on the emergency response framework, but due to the much developed intensity, the director took the decision to re-grade it to level three. The support provided at level three is much more than at level two. The financial aid requested was also meant to help the affected nations to quickly launch their operation plans in response to the urgent and immediate needs of West African countries affected by Ebola. The funds would further help in preparing the activities in the neighboring countries incase any Ebola case is reported. On July 2nd and 3rd, countries met to formulate a working plan. They expected the WHO to lead the way in coordinating all the responses to the outbreak. The expected funds were predicted to increase over the months due to further assessments and evolution of outbreaks (WHO, “Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response Plan in West Africa”). Chronology of Development of Ebola The first Ebola case was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976. The incident occurred in Yambuku and its surrounding areas. It was the first official recognition of the disease. In the same year, it was reported in South Sudan in an area called Nzara and Maridi. Here, many medical persons were infected. From then henceforth, the disease kept coming and being contained until the present case that has proved to be much severe. In November 2012 to January 2013, the case was reported in Uganda where out of the 50% reported persons, three died. From March 2014 to present, the reports on infection have come from multiple countries (CDC, “Ebola”). The first Ebola case in United States was diagnosed from a man who had traveled from Liberia and despite being treated for the disease, he succumbed to death. On October 10th, 2014 another healthcare worker was reported to have the disease. He was isolated and treated. He was later discharged after recovery. In October 23, 2014 in New York City Department of Health, the third case concerning the recent Ebola crisis was reported in the US. It was from and aid worker who had served with doctors without borders. The patient was recovered and released on November 11. Public Health Response to Ebola Many public health agencies of various countries are working with the governments to prevent the spread of Ebola. One such agency is the public health agency of Canada. It is making every effort to control the outbreak and improve the current safety measures in Canada. It has met with the provisional and territorial health authorities to support the cross jurisdiction co-operations. It has put in place Ebola rapid response team that is ready to act upon any request (Government of Canada, “Canada’s Response to Ebola”). It has launched an online public awareness campaign that seeks to increase people’s knowledge about the symptoms of Ebola. Along the borders, it carries out an assessment on anybody going in and out of the Canadian territory. The government of Canada is actively participating in supporting the affected nations in West Africa; it is working with international partners. It has also put in measures incase a person in Canada is diagnosed with Ebola. Therefore, the Canadian Health agency is well prepared. The American Public Health Association (APHA) has also chipped in to rescue the situation. It has provided a chapter on Ebola from the control of communication for free of charge. The world health organization is also responding with public education and is enhancing the process of international response. The US agency is also urging for medical volunteers so that all efforts are merged together (American Public Health Association, “Ebola”). The largest epidemic of Ebola began in a simple way related to the caring of a child. The disease then spread to the remote regions of Guinea, later wiping almost an entire village leading to thousands being left without parents. Critics predicted further infection if nothing was to be done, and true to their prediction, the disease has spread rapidly killing more than 5000 people in the process. The disease could have been well contained in its early stages, but it seems someone never stepped up. The reaction was too slow and there was lack of togetherness to contain it. The governments of the West African countries appear to have been slow in their reaction to down or curb the spread of Ebola. One thing to blame is poor infrastructure especially the health structure. In 2012, the same case was reported in Uganda. Out of the 25 reported victims, 17 succumbed to death, but the spread was contained. The Ugandan government had learnt from the earlier outbreaks and set up a research institute that was specifically tasked to look into Ebola cases; they were able to see off the disease within 68 days after it was reported (Dionne, 2014). An official from the Guinean ministry accesses political instability as the cause of health crisis. He suggests that the weakness in the health monitoring system prevented them from having a quick reaction. Furthermore, the government announced that the disease could be treated in the health centers instead of making isolation cases to prevent the spread (Kilian, 2014). When the outbreak was reported in the south, the government failed to take serious steps. It refused to admit fearing that its image would be damaged. The Medicins Sans Frontieres were left to battle the virus alone. The government is also accused of allocating little finance to the health sector. To worsen the situation, the president attended the African Summit meeting in Washington, while his fellow presidents from the affected nations remained behind to solve the issues (Diallo, 2014). Following these lapses by the government, it should have put in place quick mechanisms and called for international intervention. Clear communication in time of such a crisis is very important to avoid the spread of scary messages to people, which would further lead to confusion. Such information should be science based, understandable and from a reliable source. Some of the information spread had the characteristics of generating fears among people, some communication demonstrated lack of preparedness, there was political involvement and outdated information that hindered effective communication. Lessons Learnt from Ebola Outbreak Appropriate information: The pattern of communication assesses the ability to provide reliable information to citizens. The information should be understandable and reliable (Ratzan and Moritsugu, 2014). Appropriate information should come from the government agencies rather than bloggers and companies that often confuse people and create fear. Prompt support: Had the government declared the pandemic and the international community chipped in with support, the situation would have been contained. Further support is needed to enhance post Ebola investments and restore livelihoods. Strong international institutional communication response: This will arm all health stakeholders with information and would help in formulation of strategies, whenever stricken by such emergencies. Creation of an informed society: An activated society is very crucial in protecting health within the society and maintaining strong public health systems. Good leadership: A good leader is able to make strategies of mitigating emergency cases, and in time of a crisis, is able to provide an informed solution. Controlled communication: Various communication centers need to maintain discipline and professionalism, while relaying critical information to prevent creation of fear among the people. Quick response: The government of Guinea should have acted swiftly towards the reported case; this could have helped contain the spread of Ebola. Increased health funding: WHO requires that health sectors receive at least 15% of national finance, so as to carry out their duties. Failure to honor this would result to what was witnessed in Guinea, whereby the government did not equip the health sector exposing it to a lot of difficulties. Enhancing preventive measures: People need to be trained and given the awareness to prevent spread of any contagious disease. Works Cited American Public Health Association. “Ebola”. 2014. Web. 8 December 2014. . CDC. “Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease).” 2014. Web. 8 December 2014. . Diallo, Cellou D. “Ebola in Guinea: Is Government Incompetence a Bigger Danger?” Aljazeera. 4 October 2014. Web. 8 December 2014. Dionne, Kim, Y. “Why West African Governments are Struggling in Response to Ebola.” The Washington Post. 15 July 2014. Web. 8 December 2014. Government of Canada. “Canada’s Response to Ebola.” 28 November 2014. Web. 8 December 2014. . Kilian, Crawford. “Ebola in Guinea: Political Instability and Health Crisis.” 9 November 2014. Web. 8 December 2014. . Mayo Clinic Staff. “Ebola Virus and Marburg Virus.” 2014. Web. 8 December 2014. . Ratzan, S. C. and Moritsugu, K. P. “Ebola Crisis- Communication Chaos We Can Avoid.” Routledge: Journal of Health Communications. 30 October 2014. Web. 8 December 2014. WHO. “Ebola Virus Disease.” September 2014. Web. 8 December 2014. WHO . “Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response Plan in West Africa.” Web. 8 December 2014. Read More