Ebola, a haemorhagic disease which causes the spontaneous bleeding of internal organs of affectation, has been trending in Nigeria since the news broke of the 40-year-old Liberian man who entered Nigeria with the virus on Friday and died yesterday in a undisclosed Lagos hospital. Ebola is considered to be perhaps more dreadful than AIDS and cancer. Ebola kills within seven days, usually from three to 30 days. It kills 90% of its victims.

Below, as taken from the Facebook wall of King O. James, are the signs/ symptoms of Ebola Viral Haemorhagic Disease (EVHD):

Fever

Sore throat

Headaches

Weakness

Joint and muscle pain

Chest pain

Bleeding from nose, ear, skin, eyes

Paleness (anaemia),

Easy fatigability

Apathy

Breathlessness

In pregnant women it leads to miscarriage and heavy vaginal bleeding.

Warning signs of Ebola may mimic malaria symptoms.

There are several ways of contracting it... through body secretions such as sweat, blood, saliva, mucous, breast secretion, tears, urine, and sexual transmission with an infected person. Hence, the commonest way is through physical contact e.g. a handshake.

Prevention is the key word!!!

1. Avoid bush meat or any meat you are not sure of its source.

2. Wash your hands frequently with detergent or soap using clean water.

3. Avoid trips to Ebola endemic countries (DRC, Uganda, Congo, Gabon, Sudan, etc)

4. Get a hand sanitizer for family

5. Avoid buying foodstuff, clothing or other personal materials from markets/shops that share the same vicinity with live or roasted bush meat, dealer’s or sellers

6. Be careful with hands when using railings on the stairs, door knobs and other utilities used by the public.

7. Gloves and other appropriate protective clothing should be worn when handling sick animals or their tissues

8. Watch out for people with flu-like symptoms and sudden fever

9. Avoid pig farms, pig farms in Africa play a role in the amplification of infection because of the presence of fruit bats on these farms.

10. Avoid bat meats and bat products

11. Report any suspicious case to the nearest health care centre.

Again, don’t forget to always wash your hands with soap regularly.

•Photo shows doctors evacuting Ebola virus specimen.

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