Portentous Ebola

As the epidemic Ebola rages and threatens to engulf the world with its nefarious fangs, the WHO organisation is making desperate attempts to contain its spread. The alarmingly rising figures of the infection spread and massive death toll is sending shivers down the spine of scientific world, which is keeping its best foot forward to mitigate the losses. Already 9000 people have been infected and more than 4500 have succumbed to the virus. WHO warns that there could be 10,000 more cases a week.  West African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia are grappling under the potential threat of virus. US recorded first Ebola death of a Liberian visitor in Texas which left two nurses sick.  Further a suspected case of infection in Spain triggered a sense of crisis among nations. With the result US has pledged additional military forces to help with containment efforts in West Africa and intensified fund raising efforts for Ebola treatment.

Outbreak of Ebola was declared in March but nations together have decided to watch very closely instead of working towards development of a vaccine. In previous twenty odd outbreaks mostly recorded in and around the Republic of Congo exponential growth couldn’t continue indefinitely as there were barriers. But in the current outbreak, in West Africa the virus broke its natural boundaries and began claiming as many lives as all the outbreaks put together till now. It has spread to general population both in villages and cities. Professor Peter Piot who first identified the virus in 1976 now predicts that the virus spread might continue till next year. Impending evidence suggest that virus may not subside on its own and would definitely need the intervention of the public health personnel. Experts are confident that outbreaks can be contained in nations with robust medical systems with the ability to trace contacts whereas it can make deep in roads into countries with poor health care system. Hence countries like India rich in slums must adopt stringent screening tests at the entry point of the source of infections like airports. Another worrying aspect about the virus is its high rates of mutations whereby it can quickly adopt itself to different places along with its carriers (people).

Currently the three countries afflicted by infections are exceedingly poor with dysfunctional government machinery and on the verge of civil wars. With battered institutional support and poor medical infrastructure Ebola spread was unabated and the health care workers were hit the hardest. Added to these woes, people still believe that Ebola can be cured by witch craft remedies. Further, the traditional burial practices that involve touching, washing or kissing the body constituted to 60% increase in disease spread. A single funeral in Guinea has reignited the epidemic. These practices have regretfully augured the spread of infection. To make the burial rituals safer there is an urgent need for community engagement. Greater involvement of churches, traditional healers is needed to help people understand how the disease is transmitted. Sierra Leone has completely shut down for three days making it mandatory for its officials and volunteers to educate and spread the crucial information about the spread and control measures of Ebola infection. Much to the frustration of health workers, people still wander in grave yards oblivious of the risks. Change in behaviour and attitude of people can help in curtailing infection. In the meanwhile pharmacy giant GSK is working towards developing a potential vaccine that can stop the spread. But it will not be ready until late 2015.

NGOs flung into action initially and provided the isolation beds so far. But as the number of cases confirmed, probable and suspected are rising at tremendous rate there is compelling need for more funds and trained health workers. As per WHO (World Health Organisation) estimates the cost of running a 50- bed facility for a month is about $15,000. Various countries have promised aid but it is grossly insufficient. A near 20 fold surge in assistance is needed to contain the infection. Plausible methods that can curtail the cataclysm include identifying the patients and putting them in treatment centres, isolating them and tracing their contacts. Health experts believe that quick progress can be made in containing Ebola if useful information about the disease is made popular among people. Basic awareness that virus is transmitted by direct contact with body fluids and excreta: the most infectious are blood, faeces and vomit is unknown to most of them. Best way of disinfecting is by using copious amounts of bleach thoroughly and consistently. Dr. Piot believes that Ebola outbreak will continue to imperil until unless the last patient is either dead or fully recovered. This demands a massive over haul of the entire public-health till then the upheaval task of fighting the biological war would continue to portend its evil foot.

 

 

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