Last Updated on 9 years by Publishing Team

1. What is Ebola virus disease?

Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.

Ebola first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, one in a village near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the other in a remote area of Sudan.

The origin of the virus is unknown but fruit bats are considered the likely host of the Ebola virus, based on available evidence.

The current outbreak in West Africa, (first cases notified in March 2014), is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. There have been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It has also spread between countries starting in Guinea then spreading across land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia, by air (1 traveller only) to Nigeria, and by land (1 traveller) to Senegal.

The most severely affected countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have very weak health systems, lacking human and infrastructural resources, having only recently emerged from long periods of conflict and instability. On August 8, the WHO Director-General declared this outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

As of 31st October 2014, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, are reported as countries with widespread and intense transmission with 13,567 cases and 4,951 deaths reported. Three countries, Nigeria, Spain, and the United States of America are reported as countries with Limited Transmission with 25 cases and 9 deaths. Additionally, Senegal and Mail are Countries with travel-associated cases.

 2. How do people become infected with the virus?

Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. In Africa, infection has occurred through the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest. It is important to reduce contact with high-risk animals (i.e. fruit bats, monkeys or apes) including not picking up dead animals found lying in the forest or handling their raw meat.

Once a person comes into contact with an animal that has Ebola, it can spread within the community from human to human. Infection occurs from direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, or other bodily fluids or secretions (stool, urine, saliva, semen) of infected people. Infection can also occur if broken skin or mucous membranes of a healthy person come into contact with environments that have become contaminated with an Ebola patient’s infectious fluids such as soiled clothing, bed linen, or used needles.

Health workers have frequently been exposed to the virus when caring for Ebola patients. This happens because they are not wearing personal protection equipment, such as gloves, when caring for the patients. Health care providers at all levels of the health system – hospitals, clinics and health posts – should be briefed on the nature of the disease and how it is transmitted, and strictly follow recommended infection control precautions.

Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola. Persons who have died of Ebola must be handled using strong protective clothing and gloves, and be buried immediately.

People are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus. For this reason, infected patients receive close monitoring from medical professionals and receive laboratory tests to ensure the virus is no longer circulating in their systems before they return home. When the medical professionals determine it is okay for the patient to return home, they are no longer infectious and cannot infect anyone else in their communities. Men who have recovered from the illness can still spread the virus to their partner through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery. For this reason, it is important for men to avoid sexual intercourse for at least 7 weeks after recovery or to wear condoms if having sexual intercourse during 7 weeks after recovery.

3. Who is most at risk?

During an outbreak, those at higher risk of infection are:

  • health workers;
  • family members or others in close contact with infected people;
  • mourners who have direct contact with the bodies of the deceased as part of burial ceremonies; and
  • hunters in the rain forest who come into contact with dead animals found lying in the forest.

More research is needed to understand if some groups, such as immuno-compromised people or those with other underlying health conditions, are more susceptible than others to contracting the virus.

Exposure to the virus can be controlled through the use of protective measures in clinics and hospitals, at community gatherings, or at home.

4. What are typical signs and symptoms of infection?

Sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat are typical signs and symptoms. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.

Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts, and elevated liver enzymes.

The incubation period, or the time interval from infection to onset of symptoms, is from 2 to 21 days. The patient becomes contagious once they begin to show symptoms. They are not contagious during the incubation period.

Ebola virus disease infections can only be confirmed through laboratory testing.

5. When should someone seek medical care?

If a person has been in an area known to have Ebola virus disease or in contact with a person known or suspected to have Ebola and they begin to have symptoms, they should seek medical care immediately.

Any cases of persons who are suspected to have the disease should be reported to the nearest health unit without delay. Prompt medical care is essential to improving the rate of survival from the disease. It is also important to control spread of the disease and infection control procedures need to be started immediately.

6.         Diagnosis (testing for Ebola)

 It can be difficult to distinguish EVD from other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever and meningitis. Confirmation that symptoms are caused by Ebola virus infection are made using the following investigations:

  • antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
  • antigen-capture detection tests
  • serum neutralization test
  • reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay
  • electron microscopy
  • virus isolation by cell culture.

Samples from patients are an extreme biohazard risk; laboratory testing on non-inactivated samples should be conducted under maximum biological containment conditions.

7. What is the treatment?

Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. They are frequently dehydrated and need intravenous fluids or oral rehydration with solutions that contain electrolytes. There is currently no specific treatment to cure the disease.

Some patients will recover with the appropriate medical care.

To help control further spread of the virus, people that are suspected or confirmed to have the disease should be isolated from other patients and treated by health workers using strict infection control precautions.

8. What can I do? Can it be prevented?

Currently there is no licensed vaccine for Ebola virus disease. Several vaccines are being tested, but none are available for clinical use right now.

Raising awareness of the risk factors and measures people can take to protect themselves are the only ways to reduce illness and deaths.

Ways to prevent infection and transmission

While initial cases of Ebola virus disease are contracted by handling infected animals or carcasses, secondary cases occur by direct contact with the bodily fluids of an ill person, either through unsafe case management or unsafe burial practices. During this outbreak, most of the disease has spread through human-to-human transmission. Several steps can be taken to help in preventing infection and limiting or stopping transmission.

  • Understand the nature of the disease, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent it from spreading further.
  • Listen to and follow directives issued by Ministry of Health & Medical Services.
  • If you suspect someone close to you or in your community of having Ebola virus disease, encourage and support them in seeking appropriate medical treatment in a care facility.

9. Is it safe to travel?

The geographical distance between the affected countries and Fiji, combined with the lack of direct flights and limited incoming travellers, contributes to this low risk. However, preparedness for EVD in Fiji is essential.

The risk of infection for travellers is very low since person-to-person transmission results from direct contact with the body fluids or secretions of an infected patient.

 Fiji and the Pacific have a low risk of transmission.

However, individuals should avoid travel to high-risk areas where Ebola is known to be widespread.

WHO’s general travel advice

  • Travellers should avoid all contact with infected patients.
  • Health workers traveling to affected areas should strictly follow WHO-recommended infection control guidance.
  • Anyone who has stayed in areas where cases were recently reported should be aware of the symptoms of infection and seek medical attention at the first sign of illness.
  • Clinicians caring for travellers returning from affected areas with compatible symptoms are advised to consider the possibility of Ebola virus disease.

10. What about health workers? How do they protect themselves from the high risk of caring for sick patients?

Health workers who treat patients with suspected or confirmed illness are at higher risk of infection than other groups.

  • In addition to standard health-care precautions, health workers should strictly apply recommended infection control measures to avoid exposure to infected blood, fluids, or contaminated environments or objects – such as a patient’s soiled linen or used needles.
  • They should use personal protection equipment such as individual gowns, gloves, masks and goggles or face shields.
  • They should use personal protective equipment such as individual gowns, gloves, masks and goggles or face shields.
  • They should not reuse protective equipment or clothing unless they have been properly disinfected.
  • They should change gloves between caring for each patient suspected of having Ebola.
  • Invasive procedures that can expose medical doctors, nurses and others to infection should be carried out under strict, safe conditions.
  • Infected patients should be kept separate from other patients and healthy people, as much as possible.

11. What about rumours that some foods can prevent or treat the infection?

WHO strongly recommends that people seek credible health advice about Ebola virus disease from their public health authority. While there is no specific drug against Ebola, the best treatment is intensive supportive treatment provided in the hospital by health workers using strict infection control procedures. The infection can be controlled through recommended protective measures. Fiji’s food and water sources are safe from Ebola.

12. What is being done about the Ebola in Fiji?

  • A Multi-Agency Technical Advisory Group (MATAG) for Ebola was assembled in early August that includes the MoHMS, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affair, Airports Fiji Limited (AFL), FIRCA, Fiji Ports Authority, Ministry of Tourism, etc. and Agencies such as WHO, FHSSP.
  • In order to coordinate a system wide level of preparedness and response to suspected/confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease, a special Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan has been drafted with Specific Standard Operating procedures completed.
  • Development of an inbound passenger supplementary health arrival card completed and implemented at Nadi International Airport
  • The EVD response plan identifies 3 levels of action advocated by MATAG: Level 1: No potential or confirmed cases of EVD in Fiji. Level 2 Case (s) of imported potential or confirmed EVD (no local transmission; level 3 case(s) of potential or confirmed EVD (associated local transmission in Fiji).
  • Budget Requirements Developed for the 3 Level Responses but a priority budget list for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is currently with the Australian Government through the Fiji Health Sector Support Program (FHSSP) for the Level 1 support.
  • Awareness and training of health staff and officers at the border offices have begun. WHO will be providing further training on encounters and PPEs
  • To test the efficacy of EVD protocols, the 1st Round Desktop Simulation Exercise was conducted on the 22/10/14 with WHO; the 2nd Round full operation simulation exercise was conducted on 5th November 2014 at Nadi International Airport and Lautoka.
  • Defense Ministry have been advised to debrief (quarantine) returning Peacekeepers (from Liberia) and Fiji to complete the 21 days incubation period. This currently planned with the UN to occur in stages either at Liberia or upon arrival in Fiji
  • Public Awareness on Ebola conducted via Radio Talk shows on 29-11-14 with Assistance Minister for Health (iTaukei and Hindi).
  • Awareness on Ebola to other Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies and vital stakeholders
  • The progressive updates monitored fortnightly and updates provided to Health Executive Management and to Cabinet via Minister of Health & Medical Services

13. What is the Ministry of Health doing to address the Ebola Concerns?

Levels of Preparedness

Fiji MoH activated a taskforce in preparing for Ebola and this taskforce consists of several Ministries, departments and stakeholders. Health preparedness and response to Ebola like any emerging infectious disease has a four pronged approach. This is through;

  1. International Health Regulations (IHR)
  2. Surveillance at Borders (Point of Entry)
  3. Clinical Management
  4. Public Health Management

International Health Regulations (IHR)

  • The IHR outlines health regulations that members countries abide to
  • In the case of EVD, IHR recommends that there should be no general ban on international travel or trade
  • Travellers to Ebola affected and at-risk areas should be provided with relevant information on risks, measures to minimize those risks, and advice for managing a potential exposure.
  • Under IHR each member State should be prepared to detect, investigate, and manage Ebola cases;
  • The general public should be provided with accurate and relevant information on the Ebola outbreak and measures to reduce the risk of exposure.
  • There should be capacity strengthening whereby states should be prepared to detect, investigate, and manage Ebola cases; this should include assured access to a qualified diagnostic laboratory for EVD
  • Members States should be prepared to facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of nationals who have been exposed to Ebola.

Surveillance at Borders (Point of Entry)

  • The second level of preparedness and control for EVD is at international points of entry, where routine surveillance is heightened.
  • Under normal circumstances, international travelers are required to fill arrival cards. In this case, a special EVD arrival card will be administrated at an International Ports of Entry (POE) to all travellers and they are to indicate whether they have recently visited a country reporting cases of EVD and have any symptoms.
  • Those with positive travel history as well as symptoms will be treated as a case under investigation (suspected case) and isolation protocols will commence. Passengers who have been in an EVD affected country in the past 21 days will be taken aside and asked questions to assess exposure. They will be then given a ‘Conditional Release’ or ‘Conditional Release with Controlled Movements’ and provided with guidance on follow up by health workers.

Clinical Management

  • This approach deals with clinical management of suspected and confirmed EVD cases.
  • Here MoH is to ensure the patients suspected or confirmed to have EVD receive proper care while maintaining proper Infection Prevention Control (IPC) procedures and preventing transmission to health care workers.
  • It should be noted controlling infection in health-care settings is paramount as Human-to-human transmission of the Ebola virus is primarily associated with direct or indirect contact with blood and body fluids and transmission to health-care workers is o the most significant.

Public Health Management

  • The final level of preparedness is through public health awareness and raising awareness of the EVD within community.
  • Good contact tracing and surveillance of contacts of suspected EVD cases is essential to break Ebola transmission

Fijis Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan

In order to coordinate a system wide level of preparedness and response to suspected/confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease, a special Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan has been drafted.

This plan is organized into two phases. The preparedness phase provided is to serve as a guide to all stake holders on the essential actions and activities that must be implemented before there is an alert of a suspected case. The alert phase details four key areas of action during an alert of a suspected/confirmed case i.e. preparedness and control at international points of entry, surveillance and epidemiological investigation, clinical management, and risk communication.

14. Who can I contact for more Information?

If you have any further enquires about Ebola please contact Dr Mike Kama at Mataika House on Phone: 3320066  or email mnkama02@gmail.com

You can also send your queries to MLO, Ministry of Health 3314088 or 8905053.

15. Useful Links on Ebola

 http://www.who.int/en/

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/

 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/ebola/en/

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/index.html

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