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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : August 7, 2014 11:21 AM IST
With a total of 1603 infected individuals and 887 reported deaths in Ebola-hit countries of Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia encounters its first Ebola-infected patient in Jeddah. On Wednesday, the 40-year-old male patient was reported in a critical condition despite proper treatment and ICU care. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the health ministry was closely monitoring this case ever since the patient had showed signs of hemorrhagic fever after a business trip to Sierra Leone.
The authority has also put all those who had been in direct contact with the patient under medical observation. Ebola, which has killed over 800 people in West African countries, spreads through mucous and other body fluids or secretions such as stool, urine, saliva and semen of infected people. A total of 1,603 infections and 887 deaths have been recorded in the Ebola-hit countries of Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, the World Health Organization said.
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.
How is it diagnosed?
Usually a doctor will be able to diagnose the condition with the symptoms alone, but in order to confirm the diagnosis he/she may prescribe tests like CBC (Complete Blood Count), coagulation studies (a test to check for the amount of time a person's blood needs to clot), viral antigen testing (a test to check for the presence of the viral antigen) and a liver function test.
Once diagnosed, what kind of treatment does the disease have?
Dr Ratan says, 'There is no definitive treatment, and common anti-viral therapies do not work on the Ebola virus. Therefore the goal of the treatment is to treat the symptoms and prevent secondary infections or complications like pneumonia and liver failure.' Read more about Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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