Читать книгу (101 things to know when you go) ON SAFARI IN AFRICA - Patrick Brakspear - Страница 48

Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease with a high fatality rate and very contagious. Symptoms initially include a sudden fever as well as joint and muscle aches and then typically progress to vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, internal and external bleeding. The virus spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is infected. The World Health Organisation believes that fruit bats are probably the natural host for the virus.

Whilst research is advanced in developing a vaccine for the disease, none exists at time of writing. But if caught early, Ebola can be treated like other viruses, such as influenza, through the administration of liquids and electrolytes and maintaining the patients' oxygen status and blood pressure.

The 2014 outbreak was very bad but was concentrated in three small West African states: Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. Although this outbreak claimed more than 3000 lives, it does appear to have been brought under control.

It is important to understand that the disease remains largely confined to the DRC and the West African countries mentioned, and that no cases have occurred in any of the major safari-going countries of East and Southern Africa.