Have you heard the news about the outbreak of Ebola virus? Whether you are in an area where it’s been reported or not, some knowledge of this, especially prevention, will not go amiss. Here goes!

Ebola virus is usually contacted through contact with infected animals (monkeys, chimpanzees, bats and in some instances, pigs) and subsequently from an infected person to other people through contact with infected body fluids (waste products or blood) and/or sharp objects. This virus causes severe bleeding, failure of organs, death and unfortunately has no known treatment or vaccine for prevention as at today.

Initial symptoms would appear between 5 to 10 days of infection and seem like any other infectious disease with fever, sore throat, headaches, weakness and chills. This eventually worsens to include a lot of symptoms including rashes, cough with chest pain, red eyes, stomach pain and bleeding from mouth, nose, eyes, ears, seizures, coma and eventual death for most people infected.

As noted before, no treatment exists as at now. So, prevention is key for everyone and especially people who are more at risk (people who travel to areas with outbreak, morticians who prepare people that have died from Ebola for burial, people conducting animal research and medical personnel). The focus of prevention is on personal hygiene: Wash your hands and often too, use hand sanitizers and make sure you’ve got handy packs that you carry around. Be sure to also provide same for your children and domestic staff. Avoid contact with infected people and if you’re a mortician, avoid handling the remains of people who have died from Ebola as they are still contagious. Finally, all bush meat lovers will have to leave well alone for now 😀

Keep healthy and keep safe, people 🙂

Have a fabulous day!

Here’s to a healthier you!