The African epidemic: where did Ebola go?

Back in 1976 for the first time they started talking about the Ebola virus. But the most famous was the epidemic, which began in the summer of 2014. Then in a short period of time from the virus, more than 900 people died from 1,700 cases. But a few months later everyone forgot about the disease, and now many are wondering where Ebola went.

Characteristics of the disease

The outbreak of the epidemic in 2014 began in the summer in Central Africa. The region of the Congo suffered the most. A virus is transmitted only when the healthy person directly contacts the blood or other biological fluids of the patient. By airborne droplets this disease is not transmitted.

Cases of Ebola recorded, as a rule, in African countries. In 2014, the epidemic was in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, DRC, Senegal, Mali. But cases of illness were registered in Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. True, the virus did not spread in these countries. In Spain and the United States, the virus was brought by travelers from Africa.

Ways of distribution

It is worth noting that you can get infected even when you contact a deceased or embalmed person, when you touch contaminated equipment. For example, the virus is so widespread in African countries that hospital workers do not use special protective clothing there. They do not particularly popular universal necessary precautions, because of this, the spread of viruses is more active. The situation is worsened by the fact that in many countries needles are often reused.

With all the security measures, you can be sure that the Ebola virus in the world will not spread. This is confirmed by the fact that people who have fallen ill in African countries on arrival at home did not become a source of mass infection.

Pathogenesis

Outside hospitals, the virus can spread as actively as inside them. You can get infected through the mucous membranes and micro-traumas of the skin. The incubation period can last from 2 to 21 days.

This infection is characterized by the appearance of signs of general intoxication and a violation of blood coagulability. The sick suddenly rise in temperature, there are pains in the throat, muscles and head. They also complain of general weakness. In many cases, the disease is accompanied by vomiting, the appearance of rashes, diarrhea, the occurrence of problems with the liver and kidneys. Sometimes external or internal bleeding is discovered. Analyzes show a low level of platelets and white blood cells, and simultaneously increases the concentration of liver enzymes.

The development of bleeding suggests a possible unfavorable prognosis. If the patient does not recover within 7-16 days, then the probability of a lethal outcome significantly increases. Most often, death comes from bleeding in the second week of the disease.

Stopping the epidemic

In 2014 everyone was talking about the possible spread of the virus. But the conversations quickly subsided, and people began to wonder where Ebola had gone. Many people assume that they were just rumors. But this is not true, the virus does exist.

Given that in developed countries the conditions of hospitals prevent further infection, the epidemic will not begin in the civilized world. In African countries, the spread of the virus continues so far primarily because patients do not comply with the necessary quarantine measures. Moreover, the established African custom of washing the corpses of the deceased complicates the situation. People who do this also run the risk of contracting Ebola's fever.

Is there a problem?

Of course, the epidemic of 2014 was remembered by everyone. But over time, interest in this topic subsided, and by early 2015, everyone was thinking where Ebola had gone. In fact, in Africa it was not possible to get rid of this disease.

Over the period from April 2014 to December 2015, the Zairian ebola virus infected more than 27 thousand people. Of these, more than 11 thousand died. The mortality rate was 41%. But do not think that 2016 began without incident. In January, more than 100 infected Ebola viruses were registered in the West African country of Sierra Leone.

To prevent the spread of the disease in the summer of 2015, the government imposed a curfew on day 21, which was to last from 18 pm to 6 am. This rule has affected some areas located in the northern part of the country. In addition, residents were banned from traveling to the northern regions of Kambia and Porto Loko.

A survey of people in areas of mass infection showed that 7% of the population has antibodies in their blood. This makes it possible to assume that in some people the disease was asymptomatic or in mild form.

Vaccination

Prevent the development of the disease and protect people by using preventive measures. Therefore, the Ebola vaccine is so important. Its creation was financed mainly by the USA. In this country, they feared that this virus could be used as a biological weapon.

Developments are not over yet. The American vaccine has been successfully tested on animals. Moreover, two companies from the US have already begun to conduct research on people. In 2014, scientists managed to find out the mechanism by which the Ebola virus disrupts the work of immunity. And in the summer of 2015, WHO already reported that the vaccine efficacy trials had been successful. It was checked for 4,000 volunteers from Guinea.

They are also developing vaccines in Russia. The created drug showed excellent effectiveness, so scientists hope that it will be used on a par with Western counterparts. It is planned that the Russian vaccine will be delivered to Guinea in the spring of 2016. According to plans, it should produce about 10 thousand copies a month. If vaccination is made mandatory, then everyone will understand where Ebola went.