Ebola in Nigeria: WHO deems Nigeria transmission-free

The deadliest Ebola epidemic ever has now killed 2,811 in West Africa, the World Health Organisation has said, adding though that in Senegal and Nigeria the outbreak had been basically contained. Th

By: Editorial Team | | Published: September 23, 2014 12:15 pm

The deadliest Ebola epidemic ever has now killed 2,811 in West Africa, the World Health Organisation has said, adding though that in Senegal and Nigeria the outbreak had been basically contained. The UN health agency, which also published the results of the latest meeting of its Ebola emergency committee, yesterday said a total of 5,864 people had been infected in five west African countries as of September 18.

The disease has claimed 181 lives since the last death toll of 2,630 was issued on September 14. Guinea, where the outbreak began at the start of the year, and neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone by far account for most of the cases and continue to see ballooning numbers. Liberia has been especially hard-hit, with 1,578 deaths from 3,022 cases.

At the same time ‘the outbreaks in Senegal and Nigeria are pretty much contained,’ the WHO said in a statement. Senegal has not reported any new cases of the deadly virus since it registered its first and only case on August 29 — a Guinean student who has since recovered. And Nigeria, where 20 people have been infected, eight of whom have died, has not reported any new cases since September 8, the WHO pointed out. The incubation period for Ebola is 21 days, and double that time must pass without any new cases arising before a country can be deemed transmission-free.

The WHO meanwhile said that a meeting of its Ebola emergency committee last week had determined that the outbreak remained a ‘public health emergency of international concern’. The committee had reiterated its opposition to general bans on international travel or trade, although people infected with Ebola or who had had contact with Ebola patients should not be permitted to travel, the WHO said.

Blocking flights to or from affected areas and other travel restrictions only serve to ‘isolate affected countries, resulting in detrimental economic consequences, and hinder relief and response efforts risking further international spread,’ it warned. The emergency committee also stressed that in cases where measures like quarantines are deemed necessary, countries must ensure that ‘they are proportionate and evidence-based, and that accurate information, essential services and commodities, including food and water are provided to the affected populations.

‘It also insisted that ‘adequate security measures’ should be put in place to ensure the safety and protection of healthcare workers, who face high infection rates and sometimes violence from frustrated and frightened populations. Last week, eight members of an Ebola education team said to include local health officials and journalists, were found dead after they were attacked by angry locals in southern
Guinea.

What is Ebola virus?

The Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe condition caused by a virus from the Filoviridae family. Known to be a condition that is transmitted from animals to humans, this virus spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal. Also read: Ebola virus — causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention

Here’s are some interesting facts about the Ebola virus that make it so deadly.

Disrupts your immune system: Viral proteins present on the outer surface of the Ebola virus are what destroy the immune system. VP35, one of those proteins, interferes with the production of some important components of the human immune system, like interferons. Another protein traps the white blood cells inside the circulatory system by limiting their movement. As a response to the virus, whatever molecules the immune cells release are used by the virus to devastate the vascular system and activate blood clot formation.

We don’t know where it came from: First of all, scientists have not been able to identify the original reservoir of the virus yet. Bats have been the suspected source but the results are inconclusive. Since a major part of its life cycle remains a mystery, the threat of its recurring outbreak will persist.

We don’t know all the different ways it can spread: The Ebola virus certainly spreads through direct contact with infectious body fluids and secretions including blood, semen, stool, mucus, saliva and sweat. But there is a possibility that it could spread through other modes, increasing the chances of the disease spreading. Read more about 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans

With inputs from PTI

Photo source: Getty images

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Published : September 23, 2014 12:15 pm

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