Ebola in West Africa - Essay Example

"Ebola in West Africa" is a great example of a paper on the virus.
Ebola is a human and some primate disease that is caused by Ebola viruses. It is widely spread in most of the West African nations and has caused a lot of mortality. It is believed that the Pteropodidea family’s fruit bat is the natural host of the virus. It is introduced to humans through contact with the blood that is close, secretions or bodily fluids of the infected animals e.g. chimpanzees, monkeys, etc. It can spread between people through direct contact (mucus membranes or broken skin) with the blood, organs, secretion or bodily fluids of infected individuals, and materials (clothing, bedding ) & surfaces that have the fluids. The incubation period is between 2 days and 21days and until humans develop symptoms, they are not infectious. The first symptoms are headache; fatigue; muscle pain and sore throat followed by diarrhea, vomiting, rash, symptoms of liver function, and impaired kidney and internal and external bleeding. It is hard to differentiate it from other infectious diseases, this is an example of an investigation that can be carried out to confirm the symptoms; ELISA. There is no treatment yet proven for the disease, however, survival can be improved through supportive care rehydration, or intravenous fluids.

Current statistics and political and socio-cultural problems surrounding giving care

The statistic indicates that the disease kills between 25% and 90% of the people that are infected. The public lack of knowledge about the disease has made the disease difficult to control in addition to the mobility of people that is very high, and the big geographical spread of these areas. The disease has generated an intense level of rear that when the locals hear of Ebola they just think of death and they view it as something similar to magic. Saying Ebola loud makes it appear, that’s what they believe. Luck of funds by the affected government has also made the control and fight against the disease difficult.

Appeal to medical volunteers

The international communities have started volunteer programs for qualified medical professionals who wish to help those who are affected by the disease should adhere to safety requirements to avoid contracting the disease.