Ebola outbreak: How to protect yourself

The World Health Organisation has confirmed since April 4, in Democratic Republic of Congo in centre Africa,45 haemorrhagic fever cases have been reported including 25 deaths, fourteen of those cases are confirmed to be Ebola virus disease, 10 are suspected and 21 are probable.

Ebola Virus Disease is a rare disease that can lead to death mostly affecting human and non-human primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). It is caused by an infection with one of five known Ebola virus species, four of which can cause disease in human.

When infected, a person with Ebola may present with symptoms such as sudden high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

A distinct symptom of Ebola and other VHFs is unexplained bleeding from body openings. The symptoms may appear 2 to 21 days after exposure to an infection.

Where there is no real cause for alarm in Nigeria yet, below are important reminders on the disease so as to be better prepared for possible outbreak:

Wash your hands frequently using soap and water – use hand sanitizers when soap and water is not readily available,” the centre said in the latest advisory.

Avoid direct handling of dead wild animals.

Avoid physical contact with anyone who has possible symptoms of an infection with an unknown diagnosis.

Make sure fruit and vegetables are properly washed and peeled before you eat them.

Health workers are advised to ensure universal care precautions at all times. This includes the use of personal protective equipment when handling patients always.

In addition, patients who are suspected to have Ebola should be immediately isolated from other patients.