First outbreak of Ebola virus disease was in 1976. This uncommon disease was reported in Central Africa in Zaire (WHO, 2014)? Since the discovery of Ebola virus in 1976 the outbreak of Ebola virus was reported in West Africa in March 2014. (WHO 2014). Ebola virus was named after Ebola River which traversed through the affected region. Studies showed that there are five spices of Ebola virus, each single-stranded RNA virus in the filoviridae family. The Bundibugyo, Zaire, and Sudan species have been responsible for the entire known Ebola outbreak’s, with current outbreak in West Africa (K.Pritish. el, al. 2014, p. 1712). Centres for Disease Control reported that the other two Ebola virus species are the Reston Ebola virus, which seems like is limited to Philippines and has not reported that cause any human disease to date, whereas, Tai Forest Ebola virus, which did infect to a scientist, who was performing an autopsy on a chimpanzee (CDC, 2014). The World Health Organisation (2015) stated that fruit bats were the host of Ebola Virus. (WHO, 2014). Monkeys and other nonhuman primates may serve as intermediate hosts. Therefore increased human-animal interface in parts of Africa and the black market bush meat trade have been implicated in bringing the disease into human populations. (K.Pritish. et. al p. 1713). One of the researchers who first identified Ebola virus, Dr Peter Piot 1976 stated, “In general, it is an infection that causes epidemics only if basic hospital hygiene is not respected, and is really a disease of poverty and neglect of health systems.”(P, Piot. 2014). Researchers identified that Ebola virus have largely occurred in rural, isolated villages as they have very little access to medical care and this result in outbreaks and transmission. According to latest WHO update as October 22, 2014, a total of 9,911 Ebola cases have been reported all these were from West African countries such as Guinea 1,540, Sierra Leone 3,706 and the highest were from Liberia 4,665 (CDC, 2014)

World Health Organisation( 2015) researched “ most affected countries were Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as the result of weak health systems, lack human and infrastructural resources, and have only emerged from long periods of conflict and instability” (WHO, 2015). It was spread by travellers who have been travelled to these countries. Travel and trade among these three countries and with Europe, Asia, and the United States was the reason how it spread to other countries (G Gilbert, 2015). The first cases reported in Guinea in December 2013, then later in March 2014 in Liberia, and in April outbreak spread to Sierra Leone. (CDC, 2014). In July 2014, Ebola virus Disease was introduce in Nigeria by an ill traveller from Liberia, with subsequent transmission to health care workers (WHO, 2014). The first Ebola virus Disease imported to United States in September 30, 2014 was by a patient who travelled to Liberia to Dallas, Texas. The symptoms developed approximately four days after arriving in United States. He was then hospitalization in Dallas and despite supportive care, mechanical ventilation, and hemodialysis he died on October 8. Two members of health care workers who were caring for this patient were also diagnosed with Ebola virus Disease later (CDC, 2014). Similar transmission of Ebola virus Disease to a health care assistance developed in Spain, who were caring for two missionaries who contracted Ebola virus Disease in West Africa. Further studies also showed that Ebola virus emission during the phase of infections, by saliva, feces, semen, breast milk blood, tears, nasal blood and tears (DG, Bausch, 2007). Kathleen A. Alexander (2015) reported that Ebola virus infected human by either through direct contact with bodily fluid of infected animals or consumption of bush-meat. Some also infected by either caring for patients, or preparing for the deceased for burial (A. Kathleen et. al, 2015. pp. 3-10). Some of the symptoms of this virus are fever, chills, myalgia, malaise and possibly a maculopapular rash, symptoms may also be impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases , both internal and external bleeding (D, Nkoghen, et, al. 2012, pp. 1037-1043). In 1976 it reported that a patient had his injection for malaria at Yambuku Mission Hospital and after 5 days he developed an infection with hemorrhagic fever. Later a week’s time other patients who had either been injected in same clinic or who were close to the patient had similar illness. Within 2 months time 318 cases of viral hemorrhagic fever identified in 55 nearby villages (K. Paritish, et. al, p.1710, 2014). It was reported that cultural and social practices have contributed to the extent off the outbreak in West Africa (MT, Osterholm. 2014). Family members usually take care of sick relatives at home, taking risk for infection through direct contact with virus. Family members were frighten to take their loved once to hospital as they thought hospital was the cause of infection, as a result this, health authorities were not able to know about the Ebola virus disease cases earlier (K. Pritish, et. al. 2014).

According to World Health Organisation (2015), the incubation period was from the infection with the virus to onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days. Until the symptoms of the infection, humans are not infectious (WHO, 2015). As reported by WHO some of the treatment methods for preventing this virus are, isolation of the patient while in care, supportive care are the basic procedures for case management. Electrolyte should be replaced; oral or intravenous fluids and balance should be monitored for dehydration. Other disorders at later stage such as bleeding, renal failure, secondary bacterial infections, and shock also should manage. (G, Gilbert et al. 2015, p. 4). However there is as yet no proven treatment available for this virus. By saying that, a range of potential treatments including blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies are currently being evaluated. Therefore no licensed vaccines are available yet, but 2 potential vaccines are undergoing human testing safety testing.

Health care workers should always strengthen and carefully apply standard precautions when providing care to patients, regardless of their presumed diagnosis (WHO, 2014, pp.12-27). According to Centres for Disease Control (CDC 2007), before caring to patient with Ebola virus Disease, health care providers should apply extra infection control measures to prevent contamination. Therefore, correct hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, and proper use of personal protective equipment is highly recommended. Alcohol based hand wash should be placed at every point of care. Single use of personal protective equipment is recommended (WHO, 2007). Safe injection practices and safe burial practice is needed while performing care (WHO, 2014). Therefore single use of injection suggested. Monitoring of people who may have been contact with burial of their loved ones who been infected with Ebola virus. In the event of patient dies with Ebola virus Disease, handling body after death should be minimized and all medical devices should be left in situ, autopsy should be avoided, and burial or cremation needs to occur promptly (WHO,2104). Education needed on how to reduce the risk of wildlife handling. Animals should be handled with gloves and protective clothes. Animal products should be thoroughly cooked before consumption (CDC, 2014 pp. 6-14). World Health Organisation, 2014 recommended sexual activities should be abstain for at least for three months after onset of symptoms, otherwise condom use is recommended and body fluids should be avoided and washing with soap water is recommended (WHO, 2014). Travellers to Liberia, Sierra Leone, or Guinea will receive a check and report Ebola kit at the airport that include a pictorial description of symptoms, a thermometer, and instructions on who to contact if they develop symptoms.

According to World Health Organisation to prevent Ebola virus outbreaks by supporting countries which are at risk of infection to develop, implement and monitor health plans. WHO also maintain surveillance for the virus, by providing information to public about the Ebola virus the risk it involves and prevention. Training also provided to health care providers on safe way of treating patients with Ebola virus Disease and also appropriate procedure on using personal protective equipment WHO (2014). In addition, WHO also provide affordable and facilitate access to patients and the community, also provide safe and effective health technologies to laboratory. Safe burial practices, infection control and case management monitored by World Health Organisation. Travellers who travel to the affected countries will be followed up daily by state and local health departments for 21 days from the date of their departure from West Africa. Any travellers who develop from the symptoms during this period will be directed to a local hospital that has been trained to receive patients with Ebola virus Disease (WHO, 2014).
The 2014 West African Ebola virus outbreak has increased the awareness of the disease among health care providers and general public. It is essential to break the human to human transmission cycle as there is no prophylaxis, vaccine or effective treatment available for Ebola virus Disease. Early recognition of the symptoms required by health care workers and general community is required in preventing the transmission. It is important to educate the health care workers and the community about infection control precautions to battle the outbreak of Ebola virus Disease. It is essential to contact tracing and quarantine of people who may have been contact with patient with Ebola virus Disease or people who may have travelled to affected countries. Poor resource and poor settings will challenge in information collection and communication, and specific strategies will need to be developed to allow rapid identification and response within context and constrain identified in the local environment.

Reference List.

Bausch DG, Schwarz L, 2014,”Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Guinea”: where ecology meets economy. PLOS Neglect Tropical Diseases.vol 8, P. 3056.

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. 2007,”Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo”. Atlanta, GA, USA: CDC 2014.viewed 5th of September, 2015.htt://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/drc/2014.

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. 2014,” Ebola Outbreak in West Africa – Case Counts”. Atlanta, GA, USA: CDC; 2014. Viewed 5th of September, 2015.htt://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/index.html.

Gilbert G, Len M, Nichols, American Journal of Public Health,2015,”Ebola Crisis of 2014: Are Current Strategies Enough to Meet the Long-Run Challenges Ahead? vol 105. No 5 pp 8-10.

Kathleen A, Claire ES, Madav M, Bryan L, Caitlin MR, Jeffery S, John MD, Eric L,Virginia MD, Marisa C, Stephen E, PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASE 2015,”What Factors Might Have Led to the Emergence of Ebola in West Africa?.vol 10, pp 1-26.

Nkoghe D, Leroy EM, Toung-Mve, Gonzalez JP. Cutaneous manifestations of filovirus infections.int J Dermotol.2012; 51(9) pp.1037-1043.

Osterholm MT. 2014. What we need to fight Ebola. The Washington post. August 1, 2014.

Piot P. Ebola outbreaks: I discovered this virus in 1976. It’s frustrating that we will still know too little to treat it effectively. The Independent,2014.http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/ebola-outbreaks-i-discovered-this-virus-in-1976-its-frustrating-that-we-will-still-know-too-little-to-treat-effectively.viewed 1st of September 2015.

Pritish K, Tosh, Priya S, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research 2014,”What Clinicians Should Know About the 2014 Ebola Outbreak”. vol 89. no (12) pp1710-1717.

World Health Organisation 2007,” Emergencies Preparedness Response”: Ebola Virus Disease. WHO, viewed 3rd September 2015. http://www.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/ebola/en/

World Health Organisation 2015,” Ebola Virus Disease”: Fact Sheet. WHO, Viewed, 3rd September 2015. Htt://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheet/fs 103/en/