Editorial Team
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 20, 2014 7:15 PM IST
Turkey has taken necessary measures against the deadly Ebola virus at Kapikule crossing of its border with Bulgaria, a high-ranking Turkish official said Sunday. A well-trained medical team is located at the border crossing to prevent the ingress of Ebola as part of a national action plan against the disease, Xinhua cited semi-official Anadolu Agency as quoting Governor of Edirne province Dursun Ali Sahin.
The measures have been taken only at Kapikule crossing with the assumption that the threat merely could appear in western border, he added. The Turkish government closely followed the refugees in the country and there has been no problem at all so far, Sahin noted. A woman from Ivory Coast was hospitalized at Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport last week on suspicion of Ebola, but she has been diagnosed with malaria, according to Istanbul governorate. (Read: What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?)
No patient in Turkey has been diagnosed with Ebola so far, according to officials. The Ebola disease has killed 4,555 people since the world's worst outbreak began in West Africa in March, with Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone being the worst-hit countries, according to the World Health Organisation. (Read: What is the Ebola incubation period?)
How the Ebola virus spreads in humans?
It spreads through infected body fluids: Ebola spreads from one infected person to the other through direct contact of the skin and other bodily fluids. The virus is present in the body fluids of an infected person which includes blood, semen, sweat, urine, saliva, feaces, vomit, etc. If a healthy person comes in contact with the infected body fluids that enters his system through open wounds, blood transfusions or through the eyes, ears, mouth, nostrils, genital area, it can infect an individual within a span of two to 21 days depending on the severity of the viral attack. Having unsafe sex with an infected person also can lead to the viral infection.
It can spread through direct skin to skin contact: One major reason why healthcare workers and immediate family members of infected Ebola victims were falling prey to the same in the infected areas is due to direct skin to skin contact with the patients. This is because the virus can be easily transmitted through an exchange of bodily fluids like sweat, saliva, etc. However, remember the virus would not spread only through casual contact. There has to be a medium for the transmission to take place and in case of a skin-to-skin contact it is either sweat, saliva, blood or other body fluids. It is advisable to take proper precautions if you need to be around a victim at any given point of time. Using protective equipment like gloves, masks and protective units is recommended to prevent the virus from spreading to a healthy individual. Read more about How the Ebola virus spreads in humans
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.
