Ebola outbreak took place first in Africa and more than 3,850 people died of this virus in different regions of Africa such as Guinea, Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Soon after this apocalypse-like incident, World Health Organization declared an international health emergency.
As per data of WHO, this virus epidemic has been sweeping across the regions and reported there has been 8,683 deaths up to 20 January 2015. The stats shows
3,636 in Liberia
3,153 in Sierra Leone
1,879 in Guinea
8 in Nigeria
Ebola virus is contagious and spreads through close contact with contaminated animals including fruit bats and Chimpanzees. This virus spreads in humans via direct contact with infected bodily fluids, blood or organs.
This human disease is deadly and has been so far restricted to Africa. Even after a person has recovered from illness, is considered infectious as long as there is virus in the blood or any bodily secretions. In some cases, it is expected to last up to six to seven weeks after the recovery.
Healthcare workers possess the greater risk when caring for patients of EVD. To protect themselves, it is important to take right precautions and work under regulatory guidelines issued by the authorities.
As per the WHO recommendations, it is important that all the healthcare workers, nurses, doctors, research teams, logistics and administrative units must cover themselves fully with virus-protection suits, face masks, gloves and necessary gears while performing tests, checking victims, performing treatment or any other task that may impose a threat of infection or its spread.
Other preventive measures include washing hands frequently, not using towel or clothes of infected and avoid any kind of contact with infected bats or monkeys.