The world had not yet completely recovered from the dreadful phase of the Corona epidemic that another deadly virus has raised alarm bells at the international level. The Ebola virus outbreak in the Central African country Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has turned into its most deadly and uncontrolled form so far. According to the latest data from the Health Department and the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 6,186 confirmed cases of infection have been reported within the last four months, while more than 3,007 people have died due to this deadly disease. After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern' (PHEIC), it is now feared that if it is not stopped in time, it may break the record of the West African Ebola crisis of 2014-2016 (in which more than 11,000 lives were lost). Rare 'Bundibugyo' strain: Lack of vaccine and treatment becomes the biggest crisis. The biggest concern of experts this time is the Ebola strain. The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus strain of Ebola. Approved vaccines and monoclonal antibody treatments already on the market have been effective primarily against the 'Zaire' strain of Ebola. There is currently no specific approved vaccine or specific antiviral drug available for the Bundibugyo strain. Although the 'Ervebo' vaccine is being given to healthcare workers as a precautionary measure to provide cross-protection, its protection for the general public is still limited. The fatality rate in this outbreak remains around 45 to 50 percent, and in children under 4 years of age this rate is being recorded up to 60 percent. What did WHO tell about the 4 main reasons for the rapid spread of the disease? According to the report by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and the CDC, there are many complex ground reasons behind the spread of this virus like wildfire: 1. Breakdown of surveillance and contact tracing: According to WHO, about 60 percent of the deaths are happening outside hospitals or treatment centers (in homes and forests). Only 15 to 20 percent of new patients are traceable to known contacts, meaning most transmission chains of the virus are operating outside the radar of health officials. 2. Civil war and violence in eastern Congo: In the area where the disease is most severe (Ituri and North Kivu provinces), there is ongoing armed conflict between rebel groups and militias. Due to violence, health workers are being attacked, due to which medical teams are not able to reach the affected villages. 3. Massive displacement of miners and population: Migrant miners working in gold and coltan mines and millions of displaced people fleeing violence are continuously moving from one province to another, due to which the virus has spread to six different provinces. 4. Traditional funeral rites and superstitions: Local communities have a tradition of traditionally washing and touching the bodies of the dead. The concentration of the virus is highest in the body and fluids of a person who died of Ebola, due to which a large number of people are getting infected simultaneously during the funeral. What are the symptoms of Ebola and how does it attack the body? Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic fever. Its incubation period is 2 to 21 days: Initial symptoms: Sudden high fever, shivering, severe headache, sore throat and extreme physical weakness. Serious symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, unbearable stomach pain, skin rashes and liver-kidney failure. Final stage (Hemorrhagic Phase): Internal and external bleeding starts from the internal organs like gums, nose, ears, excreta and skin, due to which the patient dies due to multi-organ failure. Mode of infection: It is not spread through air, but through direct contact with an infected person's blood, sweat, vomit, saliva, semen or contaminated needles and clothing. How much danger is there to India? Health Ministry steps up vigilance No confirmed case of Ebola has been reported in India yet, but in view of the global risk, the Union Health Ministry and the Department of Civil Aviation have already stepped up vigilance: Digital health declaration on the 'Air Suvidha 2.0' portal has been made mandatory for international passengers traveling to African countries, especially Congo, Uganda or Rwanda. Arrangements for thermal screening and separate isolation in case of suspicious symptoms (fever/rash) have been made at international airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru. Experts say that Ebola does not spread airborne like Corona, so it is very difficult to convert it into a situation like worldwide lockdown, but its extremely high mortality rate makes it the most feared pathogen in the world.
