Ebola Outbreak in Africa: Current Issues - A Mini Review

Abstract

Ebola hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is a severe, often-fatal disease in humans that was first identified in 1976 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa. Ebola hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is one of the most feared diseases known to mankind. This is because of the high mortality rate (up to 90%) associated with the disease, and also its propensity for person-to-person spread through close contact with infected tissues and body fluids of affected persons, particularly in the unprotected home-care setting and during preparation of bodies for burial, while spread is amplified in hospitals with poor infection control practices. Several western parts of the African continent are currently experiencing an unprecedented outbreak that has proved particularly challenging to contain. A hemorrhagic fever outbreak requires a comprehensive and intensive public health response that would put even an ideal healthcare system to the test. Substantial external support is always required during these events to ensure appropriate clinical management of patients, sufficient infection control procedures in difficult healthcare environments, intensive contact tracing to identify the chains of transmission of the virus. Clinical management of cases involves employing strict isolation procedures and providing symptomatic and supportive treatment as required.