Get informed about Ebola

One of the primary goals of the Richmond Global Health Alliance is to promote education and to keep supporters engaged in current global health discourse. In an effort to do this, two RGHA volunteers, Ranya Abi-Falah and Meredith Walsh, have compiled information about the Ebola virus and the most recent outbreak in West Africa. 

WHO: Facts to Know about Ebola

Fast facts 

Signs and Symptoms 

Usually manifest within 21 days of exposure

Flu-like symptoms including:

·         Fever

·         Chills

·         Fatigue

·         Joint pain

·         Headache

Also can present with rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

Hemorrhage: in less than 50% of cases and usually in terminal/late stages

“Red eye”

Dark red discoloration of the soft palate

Transmission

Direct contact with blood, body fluids, of patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD)

Cannot be transmitted through air, water, pets, or food 

Treatment

The standard of care is "supportive treatment," which means making sure a patient is kept hydrated  (via IV fluids), that body salts are balanced, that the patient is well oxygenated, and that his/her blood pressure remains within the normal limits. Also, several trial drugs as well as convalescent plasma from recovered Ebola virus disease (EVD) patients have been used to treat patients with EVD during the current outbreak.

PreventionUnless you have been in direct contact with the blood or body fluids of patients with EVD, you have zero risk of contracting the virus. Risk of widespread Ebola infection in the United States is minuscule. 

Vaccine?

Several vaccine trials are underway, but no vaccine is yet available for the general public

CDC: The Top 10 Thinkgs you REALLY Need to Know about Ebola 

From: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/top-10-things.pdf

Ranya is a third year medical student at VCU School of Medicine (Medical College of Virginia), with a special interest in viral pathogenesis. Meredith works as a Communicable Disease Associate for the Epidemiology Office at the Richmond City Health District. She is involved in the public health response to EVD at a local level. Both Ranya and Meredith have traveled with RGHA to Pampas Grande, Peru.