MOH Institutes Measures to Prevent Ebola

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Thursday disclosed that measures have been instituted to help prevent the transmission of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), into the country.

This was as a result of the confirmed and declared outbreak of EVD in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to the World Health Organization, as of May 8, two out of five samples collected from suspected patients tested positive for EVD.

A news release issued to the Ghana News Agency stated that the alerts would be sent on the outbreak to all Regional Directors of Health Service, Chief Executives of Teaching Hospitals and all other relevant agencies and institutions, to create more awareness.

It added that enhanced surveillance on EVD and other Acute Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers in general would be ensured and mechanisms were initiated to update preparedness and response plans at all levels for EVD and sensitise health staff to create necessary public awareness, it stated.

Dr Nsiah Asare, Director General of the GHS, in the news release listed some signs and symptoms of the deadly disease as; sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat as well as vomiting, diarrhoea, rash and late signs which include; bleeding tendencies (gum bleeding, bloody diarrhoea, bleeding under the skin, bloody urine and from all other body openings) and multiple organ failure.

Dr Asare noted that the Ebola virus could be spread from one person to another (through broken skin or mucous membrane) on contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.

He added that close contact with infected persons and dead bodies of an infected person without wearing the appropriate protective clothing as well as sexual transmission could potentially endanger others.

Dr Asare stated that “currently, there was no cure for Ebola, and treatment was only supportive and symptomatic”.

However, he cautioned all to avoid contact with infected wildlife as monkeys, chimpanzee bats, porcupine, and antelope and also avoid contact with blood and other body fluids and discharges from an infected person using appropriate clothing and equipment such as gloves.

Ebola Virus Disease formerly called Ebola Haemorrhagic fever is a potentially fatal disease caused by the Ebola virus. The disease is transmitted to humans usually from wild animals but can spread from person to person in the humans.

Death rate from the disease ranges from 25 to 90 per cent (averagely 50 per cent). The incubation period is between two to 21 days and transmission of the disease does not occur until patient develops signs and symptoms.

Source: GNA