Emerging Diseases According To The World Health Organization

Emerging Diseasesaccording To The World Health Organization Who An

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an emerging disease is one that has appeared in a population for the first time, or that may have existed previously but is rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range. If a disease was previously unknown in a location, it is considered to be emerging. However, if the disease had been present at the location in the past and was considered eradicated or controlled, the disease is considered to be re-emerging (WHO, 2013). An emerging disease can arise due to various factors such as pathogen evolution, environmental changes, or human activity, which facilitate the transmission and spread of infectious agents.

In this paper, the selected emerging disease for detailed analysis is Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Ebola is a severe and often fatal illness in humans caused by the Ebola virus, which first emerged in Africa in 1976. Understanding its symptoms, causes, transmission modes, and available treatments is essential for understanding the disease’s impact and response strategies.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a highly contagious viral hemorrhagic fever characterized by severe symptoms and high mortality rates. It has been a significant public health concern due to its rapid spread and devastating effects in affected communities. The Ebola virus belongs to the Filoviridae family, which also includes Marburg virus. Its emergence in different African regions highlights the importance of surveillance, rapid response, and research in preventing outbreaks and controlling the disease’s spread (Feldmann & Geisbert, 2011).

Symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease

The clinical progression of EVD begins with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. As the disease advances, patients often develop vomiting, diarrhea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both external and internal bleeding (hemorrhaging). Hemorrhagic symptoms include bleeding from gums, blood in the urine, and bleeding into various organs, which often leads to shock and multi-organ failure (WHO, 2014). The incubation period of Ebola varies from 2 to 21 days post-exposure, with symptoms appearing suddenly and progressing rapidly.

Causes of Ebola Virus Disease

Ebola is caused by infection with the Ebola virus, a pathogen identified in 1976. The virus exists naturally in animal reservoirs, particularly fruit bats, which are considered the natural hosts. Transmission to humans occurs through direct contact with infected animals such as bats, primates, or forest-dwelling animals, especially when handling bushmeat or during hunting activities (Leroy et al., 2004). Human-to-human transmission is primarily facilitated through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, including blood, saliva, vomit, urine, feces, sweat, or breast milk. Medical personnel and caregivers are at high risk when infection control measures are not strictly followed.

Transmission of Ebola Virus Disease

Ebola spreads mainly through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated medical equipment, or exposure to infected tissues during funeral rites. The virus is not airborne but can persist on surfaces or medical instruments if not properly sterilized. During outbreaks, community practices such as traditional burials where family members wash and handle bodies significantly contribute to disease transmission. Healthcare setting transmission also exacerbates outbreaks if infection prevention and control protocols are inadequate (WHO, 2014). The contagious nature of Ebola indicates the importance of prompt isolation and adequate protective measures during patient care.

Treatments Available for Ebola Virus Disease

Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment approved universally for Ebola. However, supportive care significantly improves survival rates and includes rehydration, maintenance of oxygenation, treatment of secondary infections, and symptom management. Several experimental therapies are under investigation, including monoclonal antibody treatments like mAb114 and REGN-EB3, which have shown promising results in clinical trials (Mulangu et al., 2019). Additionally, various vaccine candidates have been developed, with the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine demonstrating efficacy in preventing Ebola infection during outbreaks (Henao-Restrepo et al., 2017). Efforts emphasize early diagnosis, supportive treatment, and vaccination as key strategies for controlling outbreaks.

Conclusion

Ebola Virus Disease exemplifies the complexity of emerging infectious diseases, driven by zoonotic spillover and human behaviors. Its high fatality rate, coupled with its mode of transmission, underscores the importance of robust surveillance, prompt response, and research to develop effective treatments and vaccines. Global health initiatives continue to prioritize Ebola preparedness to mitigate future outbreaks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive public health strategies, community engagement, and international cooperation (WHO, 2018).

References

• Feldmann, H., & Geisbert, T. W. (2011). Ebola hemorrhagic fever. The Lancet, 377(9768), 849-862.
• Henao-Restrepo, A. M., et al. (2017). Efficacy and effectiveness of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine against Ebola virus disease: an historical, open-label, cluster-randomised trial. The Lancet, 389(10068), 501-510.
• Leroy, E. M., et al. (2004). Fruit bats as reservoirs of Ebola virus. Nature, 427(6975), 744-744.
• Mulangu, S., et al. (2019). A randomized, controlled trial of Ebola virus disease therapeutics. N Engl J Med, 381(20), 2033-2043.
• World Health Organization. (2014). Ebola Virus Disease: Key facts. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease
• World Health Organization. (2018). Ebola virus disease. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease