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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : January 9, 2015 11:56 AM IST
Freetown, Jan 9: Sierra Leone has decided to extend by another two weeks, an initiative to combat the spread the Ebola. The initiative, 'Operation Surge', was introduced two weeks ago, in the wake of increasing Ebola infections, especially in the western part of the country, including the capital, Freetown, Xinhua reported Thursday. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the country's National Ebola Response Centre, Palo Conteh, said Wednesday that the extension of 'Operation Surge" was meant to 'build on the momentum and capitalise on its success'. (Read:10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)
He attributed the success of the operation to a number of interventions, including increased and efficient social mobilisation. More people were identified and brought to health facilities and in some cases affected people went voluntarily to health centres, Conteh said. He said that the objective of the operation was to reduce the rate of Ebola transmission in the western part of Sierra Leone and ultimately stop new transmissions and at the same time, restore faith in the country's health care system. (Read: How the Ebola virus spreads in humans)
There are now more than 800 beds in both treatment and holding centres in the country, and eleven laboratories, together with about 100 ambulances, said Conteh. The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), previously known as the Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe illness in humans and is often fatal. The virus is passed on to people from wild animals and can be transmitted from humans to humans. Early supportive care, which includes rehydration and symptomatic treatment, improves the chances of survival.
Read more about Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention
No licensed treatment has yet been proven to be able to neutralise the virus, but a number of blood, immunological and drug medications are under development. The number of people killed by Ebola has reached 8,153, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said in a statement. The report released this week also noted that a total of 20,656 cases of EVD have been reported. Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea were the countries hit most by Ebola, while separate cases have also been registered in Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Spain, Britain and the US. (Read: )
Here are some tips to prevent Ebola virus
Avoid crowded places: Direct contact is an easier way of transfer of virus. So, the sick should be isolated from healthy individuals to prevent spread of the disease.
Use protective gear: For healthcare workers and medical staff, it is absolutely mandatory to use protective gear including
gloves and special masks and a body suit to prevent exposure to the virus. Even healthy individuals living in affected West African countries should use gloves and mask to prevent spread of the disease.
Avoid contact with blood and body fluids: Ebola virus spreads through all body fluids including blood, semen, saliva, sweat, urine, fecal matter and vomit of infected individuals. Healthcare workers and medical staff who are more likely to come in contact with infected body fluids, infected needles and first aid, should handle them with protective gear. Read more about 8 tips to prevent Ebola infection
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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