Recently, WHO’s projections for a cure for Ebola, which broke out in March this year, have been disappointing. Woman’s Day hopes for the best and recalls other equally well-known viruses that we could or will still be able to defeat.
Where did you first appear: in the province of Sudan and areas of Zaire in 1976. The virus was isolated near the Ebola River, which is why it got its name.
Virus outbreaks: from March 2014 to the present day recorded in Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone. Until 2012, Ebola was reported in Uganda, the Philippines, Sudan, DRC, Republic of the Congo, USA, UK and Russia.
Description: infection occurs by contact when caring for the patient, through hands and objects, through medical instruments, as well as by airborne droplets and sexually. Transmission of infection to humans can also occur from infected animals (gorillas, chimpanzees, bats and some other species). There are suggestions that infection can occur during funeral rituals upon contact with the body of a deceased from the Ebola virus.
Symptoms: weakness, muscle pain, headaches, tonsillitis, diarrhea, vomiting. Possible rash, cough, fever, and bleeding from the nose, gums, gastrointestinal tract.
How to treat: at the first symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor, in most cases urgent hospitalization is required. The incubation period lasts from 2 to 21 days.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for Ebola haemorrhagic fever! In up to 90% of cases, the disease ends in death.
How to protect yourself: do not travel to countries where the virus outbreak is taking place! In case of a forced trip, refrain from contact with local people, animals; always wear a mask and gloves; do not buy food in places of unauthorized trade; consult a doctor upon arrival home.
Data: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of September 22, 2014, there were a total of 5843 cases and 2803 deaths from Ebola. The epidemic was announced on 8 August as a “public health emergency of international concern.”
Where did you first appear: in Hong Kong in 1997 during an outbreak of the virus in poultry.
Virus outbreaks: in 2005 in Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam. Currently, the largest infections have been recorded in China.
Description: There is currently no information on how people are infected. Cases of transmission of infection from person to person and from animal to person have been recorded. The virus has been found in chickens, ducks and pigeons.
Symptoms: high fever, cough, shortness of breath. Possible diarrhea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen and chest, bleeding from the nose and gums.
How to treat: There is no vaccine to treat avian influenza. When hospitalized at the onset of the disease, available anti-influenza drugs are used.
How to protect yourself: Although the route of transmission is unknown, doctors recommend basic precautions, which include hand hygiene and the use of masks and gloves when in contact with patients. It is also important to observe the measures for the preparation and consumption of meat: it must be eaten only when fully cooked (there should not be any “pink” places in the meat); you cannot use the same cutting board and knife when handling raw meat; when cooking, you should wash your hands as often as possible and disinfect the table and dishes where the raw meat was lying; also WHO experts advise not to use raw or soft-boiled eggs for cooking, which will not be properly cooked.
If you need to travel to a country where infections are currently recorded, you should stop eating meat products, wash your hands more often and stay away from poultry farms.
Data: according to WHO, mortality from viral infections A (H5N1) and A (H7N9) among humans significantly exceeds the mortality from seasonal influenza infections.
Where did it appear: in Spain in May 1918. Then the virus was named “Spanish flu”.
Flash: in April 2009, the Spanish flu virus returned to Mexico after a long time and was named “swine”.
The largest number of deaths in 2009-2010 was recorded in the USA, Mexico, Argentina, Canada, Australia, Peru, New Zealand, Great Britain, Russia, Spain.
Description: how the infection occurs is unclear. There have been cases of transmission of the virus from infected pigs, as well as through close contact with a sick person.
Important! Heat-treated pork cannot be a source of infection. Viruses die at 70 ° C.
Symptoms: same as for avian flu (see earlier).
How to treat: There is no vaccine to treat swine flu. When hospitalized at the onset of the disease, available anti-influenza drugs are used.
How to protect yourself: to observe general measures of hygiene and safety in contact with patients. Eat pork meat when fully cooked (it shouldn’t have pink spots).
With a necessary trip to a country where infection is currently recorded, you should stop eating meat products, wash your hands more often.
Data: mortality from swine flu is 0,007% of the number of cases, which is significantly lower than that of some forms of ordinary seasonal flu.
Poliomyelitis, or infantile spinal palsy
Flash: in the middle of the XNUMXth century in Europe and North America.
In 2014, only three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan) in the world were recorded that remain endemic to this virus.
Description: in most cases, the virus infects children under 5 years of age. Infection is transmitted from person to person through the fecal-oral route or through the carrier of the infection (contaminated water, food).
Symptoms: fever, weakness, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, limb pain. In rare cases, irreversible paralysis (usually of the legs) may occur.
How to treat: painkillers and sedatives, hospitalization.
How to protect yourself: The virus can be prevented by the polio vaccine used all over the world.
Data: Thanks to the introduction of vaccinations and global efforts to eradicate the disease, polio cases have decreased by 1988% since 99.
Where did it appear: in Mexico in 1648.
Flash: from 2005 to 2013, yellow fever was recorded in Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Brazil, Paraguay, Liberia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ethiopia.
In 2014, infections were recorded in the north and south of the Congo.
DescriptionThere are two types of mosquitoes that carry the virus – Aedes and Haemogogus.
Symptoms: The incubation period lasts three to six days. Then – high fever, weakness, nausea, vomiting, lower back pain. In most patients, these symptoms disappear in three days, in others, the second stage begins – jaundice develops, abdominal pain, vomiting, and bleeding from the nose, mouth, eyes are possible.
How to treat: There is no cure for yellow fever. Treatment is possible to relieve symptoms.
How to protect yourself: since 1937, virologist Max Teiler has created a vaccine against this virus. It is safe and provides protection for 30–35 years or more.
Travelers, especially those arriving in Asia from Africa or Latin America, must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Data: according to the WHO, 200 thousand cases of yellow fever are recorded annually in the world, 30 thousand of which are fatal, 90% of them in Africa.
Flash: Over the past 10 years, most infections have been recorded in the People’s Republic of China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cuba.
Description: Transmitted by the bite of the Aedes mosquito, which is found in tropical climates, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and Oceania.
Symptoms: fever, high temperature, pain in the eye area, muscle and joint pain, possible vomiting, bleeding, as well as the appearance of a rash. The incubation period lasts from 3 to 14 days.
There are two types of dengue fever: the classic form and the hemorrhagic (complex) form. With the latter, there is a risk of death (in 50% of cases).
How to treat: There is no cure for dengue fever. For mild cases, doctors use pain relievers and antihistamines.
How to protect yourself: In the habitats of Aedes mosquitoes, walk in clothing that covers the skin as much as possible, apply special insect repellent to the body. At home use air conditioners and nets for windows and doors.
Data: The incidence of dengue has increased dramatically in recent decades. According to WHO, more than 40% of the world’s population is at risk of infection. The situation is aggravated by the fact that there is currently no vaccine against this virus and no means of controlling mosquito vectors have been invented.
Where did it appear: First reported in 1967 during an epidemic in Marburg and Frankfurt. The diseases were spread by infected monkeys brought to these cities from Uganda.
Flash: The virus has been reported in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa.
In 2008, two deaths were recorded – in the United States and the Netherlands. Both patients contracted the virus in Uganda.
Description: The virus is transmitted through the body fluids of an infected person (blood, saliva, etc.). Also, infection occurs through contact with sick or dead infected wild animals (monkeys, fruit bats).
The Marburg virus is the causative agent of Marburg hemorrhagic fever. The latter can be fatal (in 80% of cases).
Symptoms: After an incubation period of five to seven days, headache, muscle pain, fever, fever and rash appear. In acute stages, bleeding is possible.
How to treat: There is currently no cure for the virus. Doctors can apply only symptomatic therapy to the patient.
For several years, scientists have been testing a number of vaccine candidates.
How to protect yourself: Limit sightseeing trips to countries with reported cases of the virus.
Data: according to WHO, Marburg virus and Ebola virus belong to the same family of Filoviridae (filoviruses), so the two diseases are similar.
Where did it appear: in Saudi Arabia in September 2012.
Flash: More diseases were recorded in Saudi Arabia.
Description: the method of transmission of the virus has not been established. There are suggestions that human infection occurs from bats, livestock and camels.
According to the latest WHO data, more than 80 cases of infection are known, more than 40 of them have been fatal.
Symptoms: similar to those that occur with pneumonia. Diarrhea, vomiting, and shortness of breath are also possible.
How to treat: there are no drugs as such. Moreover, the disease is new and unexplored. Currently, doctors are using generally available therapy.
How to protect yourself: refrain from traveling to Middle Eastern countries. In case of a forced trip, observe all hygiene measures and avoid crowded places.
Data: Until a decade ago, this virus was considered harmless, causing only colds or diarrhea. But in 2002, an epidemic of a virus related to this broke out in the countries of Southeast Asia. Then, in a few months, about 8 thousand people were infected, all died.