A doctor of the highest category, head of the medical expert commission of the AP Companies group of companies Artem Minalyan told Woman’s Day about how to preserve your health when traveling to Africa.
According to WHO, the number of victims of the Ebola virus in West African countries has exceeded 2,4 thousand people. The vast majority of people who have died from a virus for which there are no registered vaccines or medicines are in three countries – Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The most difficult situation at the moment is in Liberia, which accounts for half of all deaths.
Of course, knowing this, it is better to refrain from traveling to these countries. But what if the trip is forced? In this regard, the following recommendations are given by doctor of the highest category Artem Minalyan.
● Before traveling, be sure to consult with an infectious disease doctor regarding the current incidence of Ebola in the country you are traveling to.
● Be prepared for a special medical examination at the airport when departing from a hazardous area.
● Avoid crowded places. The Ebola virus is transmitted by contact with infected blood or any other body fluid of an infected person.
● Do not come into contact with animals. Human infections have been confirmed as a result of the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelopes and porcupines.
● When in the danger area, use personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks. Better yet, use them all the time.
● If you experience symptoms of general intoxication (fever, myalgia, headache, nausea, diarrhea), do not self-medicate. Contact a medical facility, as there is always a high risk of contracting a dangerous infectious disease while in the tropical zone.
Remember: a definitive diagnosis of Ebola viral infections can only be made in a laboratory setting. Up to 90% of cases are fatal.
● Do not buy food in unauthorized places. Be aware that food can also be contaminated.
● Remember that the incubation period for Ebola haemorrhagic fever is two days to three weeks.
● If you develop signs of illness within a few weeks of returning to your home country, seek immediate medical attention from a specialized medical facility.
● Keep in mind: There is no vaccine or specific treatment for Ebola haemorrhagic fever!
Information:
Ebola fever is an acute viral highly contagious disease characterized by a severe course, high mortality and the development of hemorrhagic syndrome. The Ebola virus belongs to the Filoviridae family (filamentous viruses). Distribution area – Central and West Africa. Four different subtypes are distinguished: Zaire, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire and Reston. The latter was isolated in Reston, Virginia, USA, in 1989 from laboratory monkeys imported from the Philippines.
The Ebola virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of an infected person. In Côte d’Ivoire, the Republic of the Congo and Gabon, there have been documented cases of human infection with the Ebola virus as a result of the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas and forest antelopes, both dead and alive. There have also been reports of transmission of the Ebola Reston strain when handling cynomolgus monkeys.
Also, infection occurs by contact when caring for the patient, through hands and objects, through medical instruments, as well as by airborne droplets and sexually. Health care workers are often infected with the Ebola virus when handling patients through close contact in the absence of appropriate infection control measures and proper barrier care.