A Review on Ebola Virus Disease and Its Prevention and Management in Community

Abstract

Ebola virus disease is a devastating hemorrhagic disease that is often fatal, has been plaguing Africa since its initial discovery in 1976. For more than 42 years, the disease has claimed the lives of over 15,000 people, with no significant changes in case fatality rates. However, as the global response to EVD evolves, we continue to learn about better ways to diagnose, treat and prevent this disease. EVD does not naturally occur in the human population; it is introduced after exposure to close contact with the secretions, meat or bodily fluids of animals, such as fruit bats, monkeys or other rainforest animals. The World Health Organization states that 2 negative RT-PCR test results, at least 48 hours apart, are required for a clinically asymptomatic patient to be discharged from hospital. Destruction of other tissue cells results in myalgias from myositis, hepatitis, and acute kidney injury from renal tubular dysfunction. Immune-mediated cell damage causes further injury, leading to dysfunction in multiple vital organs such as the lungs, heart, kidney, and liver. More healthcare programmes are required to conducting a large scale for developing the awareness about Ebola virus disease about preventive measures and eradication process. Extensive research investigations are needed to developed in an accurate diagnostic procedure as well as an affordable and rapid treatment initiatives can control Ebola virus infection.