Ebola viruses

 

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Ebola virus is one of the causes of haemorrhagic fever.

Mortality could be as high as 40 %.

The primary host has not been identified.

 

Transmission

Transmission is through direct contact with infected blood and tissue.

 

Incubation period

The incubation period is not known, however it is considered to be less than 3 weeks.

 

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Clinical presentations

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Malaise, nausea.

Fever and sore throat are common.

Jaundice.

Haemorrhagic manifestations may include easy bruisibility and bleeding tendency after inconspicuous trauma.

Bleeding from mucous membrane- nasal, oral or rectal bleeding is common.

Internal bleeding that may result in hypovolumic shock that may lead to acute renal failure and even multi-organ failure.

 

 

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Investigation

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All specimens should be handled with care.

• CBC

• LFT

• Urea and creatinin level

 

Diagnostic tests

Blood, urine, and respiratory secretions should be collected for investigation. Telephone call to the laboratory before the specimen is sent would be useful to keep the safety of the staff.

On blood sample, serological and molecular testing can be carried out.

 

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Management 

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Patients should be admitted to High Security Infectious Disease Unit.

Patient should be isolated.

Healthcare workers should wear proper protective clothing.

Infection control team should make sure that there are proper wastes disposal means and procedures.

Staff in the laboratory should be informed of the specimens that would be sent for examination beforehand.

Specific treatment 

Conservative management- maintaining blood pressure

• Whole blood and plasma may be used to maintain blood volume.

• There is no effective antiviral however Ribavirin may be used to treat these patients.

• Immunoglobulin from convalescent patients may be beneficial.

 

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Prevention 

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There is no specific measure. However avoid contact with wild primates from endemic countries.

Hospital care

Patients isolation is very important.

Avoid needle stick injuries.

Reduce the number of unnecessary procedures.

Reduce the number of staff that would look after the patients.

Visitors should not be allowed.

 

Community care

Refer them to hospital.

Advice not to have unprotected sex.

Contact tracing should be done by public health specialists.

General advice

There is no vaccine.

In outbreak quarantine measure will help to control infection

 

 

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