This is the worst known outbreak of ebola spreading in Africa and it is killing off the doctors committed to fighting it. The last in order of time is dottor Samuel Brisbane, Dr. Samuel Brisbane, who has to be added to the list of more than 670 people who have lost their lives because of the virus.
But why is Ebola is deadly?
The current outbreak is spreading with an unprecedented aggressiveness both in terms of geographical diffusion and lethal outcome in over 50% of those infected, according to data from the World Health Organization. .
The virus, second only to HIV for aggression, is even more lethal than the latter because this particular strain is the deadliest of the five known ones.
The causes of deaths are to be laid down to the failure of the various organs, the most affected of which are the liver, kidneys and central nervous system because it seems capable of eluding the immune system and destroys the white blood cells.
The incubation period varies from two days to three weeks and death occurs a short time after the the detection of the disease, round one or two weeks.
The symptoms, apart from the characteristic bleeding which is not always present, can easily be underestimated and are headache, fever, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Transmission from man to man is not so frequent as the disease spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of the infected person, such as blood, semen, urine, and also sweat and saliva. The virus does not seem to be transmissible during the incubation stage but only once the symptoms actually appear; a condition the former, which would stop the spread of the disease in a relatively short time.
What can be done? Can one protect oneself and how?
Certainly through specific training, respect of basic hygiene, use of gloves and respiratory protective devices, recommended for protection against exposure to the virus.
The procedures providing guidance on the types of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn by all healthcare workers entering the room of a patient hospitalized with Ebola virus disease prescribe:
- Protective garments with taped seams,
- disposable overshoes,
- two pairs of latex gloves
- a full face mask with P3 filter or, if the healthcare worker wears glasses, a helmet equipped with P3 filter.
On leaving the patient’s room,, the first pair of gloves are to be removed while still in the room. All the other garments are to be doffed in a designated area making sure to put the filters P3 and all disposable materials in a double plastic bag for special waste before washing hands.
Kasco srl produces Respiratory protective devices, recommended for protection during the care of patients infected with this virus.
Oct 23 2014
Why can the Ebola virus be lethal? Here’s how to protect yourselves through the use of face masks and helmets.
This is the worst known outbreak of ebola spreading in Africa and it is killing off the doctors committed to fighting it. The last in order of time is dottor Samuel Brisbane, Dr. Samuel Brisbane, who has to be added to the list of more than 670 people who have lost their lives because of the virus.
But why is Ebola is deadly?
The current outbreak is spreading with an unprecedented aggressiveness both in terms of geographical diffusion and lethal outcome in over 50% of those infected, according to data from the World Health Organization. .
The virus, second only to HIV for aggression, is even more lethal than the latter because this particular strain is the deadliest of the five known ones.
The causes of deaths are to be laid down to the failure of the various organs, the most affected of which are the liver, kidneys and central nervous system because it seems capable of eluding the immune system and destroys the white blood cells.
The incubation period varies from two days to three weeks and death occurs a short time after the the detection of the disease, round one or two weeks.
The symptoms, apart from the characteristic bleeding which is not always present, can easily be underestimated and are headache, fever, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Transmission from man to man is not so frequent as the disease spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of the infected person, such as blood, semen, urine, and also sweat and saliva. The virus does not seem to be transmissible during the incubation stage but only once the symptoms actually appear; a condition the former, which would stop the spread of the disease in a relatively short time.
What can be done? Can one protect oneself and how?
Certainly through specific training, respect of basic hygiene, use of gloves and respiratory protective devices, recommended for protection against exposure to the virus.
The procedures providing guidance on the types of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn by all healthcare workers entering the room of a patient hospitalized with Ebola virus disease prescribe:
On leaving the patient’s room,, the first pair of gloves are to be removed while still in the room. All the other garments are to be doffed in a designated area making sure to put the filters P3 and all disposable materials in a double plastic bag for special waste before washing hands.
Kasco srl produces Respiratory protective devices, recommended for protection during the care of patients infected with this virus.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •