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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 31, 2014 1:31 PM IST
Kenya's cabinet Thursday announced elaborate measures as part of a contingency plan for Ebola preparedness and response to ensure the east Africa nation remains free from Ebola. The cabinet which met under the chairmanship of President Uhuru Kenyatta, directed the formation of an experts committee to monitor the country on a 24-hour basis on any signs of the disease, Xinhua reported. The cabinet, which met in Nairobi, also directed the ministry of health to set up an Ebola response team in the event of an outbreak. (Read: 8 tips to prevent Ebola infection)
'The cabinet expressed satisfaction with the measures taken and urged Kenyans to remain fully alert everywhere as a way of ensuring our country remains free from the disease,' a statement said. So far, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has tested at least 36 alert cases, all of which negative to Ebola. KEMRI is a World Health Organisation (WHO)-recognised laboratory for testing and confirming Ebola cases. It has capacity to serve the sub-region. (Read: 7 tips to prevent the spread of Ebola)
'To ensure there are no infections in the country, the government has put ordered the 100 percent screening of all air passengers entering Kenyan soil,' the statement said. The statement noted that 11 scanners have already been installed at major airports. More will be installed in coming days. It said the construction of an isolation facility at the Kenyatta National Hospital, the largest referral hospital in Kenya, which has been set aside as a temporary isolation facility is almost complete, other two facilities are under construction in two other hospitals. (Read: What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?)
The cabinet said 10,000 people have already been trained to provide help in managing the disease and prepare for any eventuality. The measures come as the World Bank Group Thursday announced an additional $100 million funding in its Ebola crisis response to speed up deployment of foreign health workers to the three worst-affected countries in West Africa. (Read: Ebola virus signs and symptoms you need to watch out for!)
West Africa and global development leaders have in recent weeks appealed for a massive coordinated reinforcement of international health teams to the three countries in order to contain the epidemic. Kenya requires about $20 million for the programme of tackling Ebola and so far the government has set aside $7.5 million and also received $2.7 million for the project from the World Bank. At least 600 Kenyans have volunteered to travel to West African countries to support in tackling the Ebola outbreak, according to Kenya's director of medical services Nicholas Muraguri. (Read: What is the Ebola incubation period?)
Here s are some interesting facts about the Ebola virus that make it so deadly.
It can kill within seven days: Unlike other viruses (like HIV) that can remain dormant in a person for years without causing the disease, Ebola violently multiplies until the viral particles are amplified to about 100 million viral particles in a droplet of blood. Further, without resting in a dormant stage the virus kills the host to find a new one. The fatality rate of the disease is 60 percent.
There is no vaccine or treatment available: What makes this virus deadly is the fact that researchers have not been able to find an effective treatment or preventive technique to combat the virus and the spread of the disease. The experimental drug Zmapp has shown promising results but the safety and efficacy of the drug are to be evaluated. So, as of now, neither do we have an effective form of therapy nor do we have a vaccine to prevent the disease.
Attacks every part of the human body: Ebola only needs a host cell that can help it produce multiple copies of itself. What worsens the condition is the fact that the virus does not need a specific type of cell to multiply (unlike other deadly diseases). According to studies, except for skeletal muscles and bones, the virus is known to infect every part of the human body. Connective tissues, the ones that hold your internal organs in place, are primary targets of the virus. Read more about 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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