A little about E...

The current Ebola outbreak is the most widespread ever recorded.  It is by far the biggest in terms of numbers of people affected and geographical spread.  EVD is a haemorrhagic disease and the mortality rate is 53%.

It is believed the virus resides in animal reservoirs. Outbreaks are thought to be caused by animal-to-human transmission after people consume or come into contact with species of animal harbouring the virus, including monkeys and bats. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with the body fluids of an infected patient or contact with a corpse of a person who has succumbed to disease.

Viral entry is usually via mucus membranes, cuts or abrasions, and the virus can be transmitted from the dried body fluids of an infected individual on an object (e.g. bedsheets). Ebola can be sexually transmitted

The virus can be killed by a variety of disinfectants, including the hypochlorites used in household bleach and swimming pool chlorine. Disinfection of surfaces, therefore, is an important control measure. And as soap will kill the virus, hand washing with soap and water is another important measure. There are no specific treatments for EVD.

There is no risk of transmission during the incubation period, which usually lasts between 4–16 days following infection, with a range of 4–21 days. There is no transmission by air droplets (i.e. sneezing or coughing) and only a low risk of transmission during the early stages of the disease.
In the prodromal phase, it may present with non-specific flu-like symptoms including:

• fever, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle ache, sore throat, headache.

Full symptoms of EVD can develop rapidly. Clinical signs may include:

• vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, haemorrhage, including conjunctival injection (red eye), rash, chest pain and shortness of breath. The condition progresses to serious haemorrhagic complications and organ failure.

Family members or health workers caring for infected patients are at the greatest risk of infection.

To minimize the risk of infection when visiting an Ebola-endemic area travellers should be advised to:

• Avoid contact with symptomatic patients and their body fluids, deceased patients and their body fluids and wild animals (alive and dead);
• Avoid bush meat in endemic areas (i.e., the meat of wild animals that could be a reservoir for the disease);
• Wash hands regularly using soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser;
• Consider avoiding unessential travel to affected countries;
• Identify appropriate in-country healthcare resources in advance of travelling;
• Check that medical insurance will cover repatriation in the event of infection. 

Just a thought.