Actively prevent and fight Ebola

(Baonghean) - The Ebola epidemic is spreading in many countries in West Africa, threatening the lives of many people. About 90% of people infected with the Ebola virus can die. Early recognition of symptoms of Ebola virus infection allows for early isolation and active treatment to minimize risks for both patients and the community.

Medical check-up at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Photo: Internet

Symptoms of Ebola

Ebola is a terrifying infectious disease caused by the Ebola virus, with a mortality rate of up to 90%. Ebola can be transmitted from animals to humans and from humans to humans. The animal identified as the virus host is bats, specifically fruit bats. Ebola can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with blood and body secretions (feces, urine, saliva, semen or mucus) of an infected person. Ebola can be transmitted through small scratches or contact with mucous membranes of a healthy person with an infected person, or even through an intermediate object such as blankets, bed sheets, clothing and needles.

People infected with Ebola hemorrhagic fever often have symptoms of acute fever, weakness, prolonged fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat. Next, the patient will vomit, diarrhea, abdominal pain, a dense rash on the face, conjunctivitis, kidney and liver failure; black stools, bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and rectum, causing swelling of the eyes and genitals. Usually, symptoms will begin to appear clearly from 8 to 10 days after exposure. The incubation period lasts from 2 to 21 days. Up to this point, there is no specific treatment or vaccine to prevent Ebola.

Ebola is currently spreading rapidly across West Africa. Health officials and health workers are concerned that the Ebola outbreak could become a global pandemic as the situation in Africa is currently out of control.

Ministry of Health takes action

Faced with the complicated developments of this pandemic, on August 10, the Ministry of Health officially put into operation the Emergency Response Office as a focal point for international coordination (including coordination with WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control) and connecting and supporting localities in emergency situations to deal with the Ebola epidemic that is at risk of spreading into Vietnam. The Ministry of Health has developed a plan to admit and treat patients, and at the same time designate hospitals as quarantine sites in case of detecting imported cases and has plans to expand quarantine areas and establish field hospitals in case of widespread epidemics. When there are suspected cases at the border gate, they will be transferred to quarantine treatment facilities. In addition, the Ministry of Health has prepared equipment, reviewed quarantine facilities, emergency transport vehicles, and anti-epidemic chemicals; Plan to urgently purchase 10,000 sets of personal protective equipment, organize training and drills on epidemic prevention and control for medical staff and medical facilities... Currently, the Ministry of Health has directed the use of remote body temperature monitoring machines to promptly detect passengers passing through international land and air border gates with symptoms of fever, suspected of having an infectious disease, organize medical examination, isolation and treatment according to regulations. On August 15, all international land and air border gates will carry out medical declarations for visitors from Africa. If passengers have symptoms of Ebola, they will be isolated and tested.

Nghe An: Closely monitor airports, border gates, and seaports

In Nghe An, Ebola surveillance measures are also being urgently implemented. Accordingly, the Provincial People's Committee has directed the Department of Health to issue an urgent dispatch requesting agencies at Vinh Airport to support and coordinate with the quarantine department to carry out the task of preventing and fighting Ebola, guide passengers to the medical examination area in a reasonable manner, manage the quarantine area according to regulations; only allow entry when passengers have completed the medical declaration, handle entry procedures for passengers with suspected signs of infection and passengers traveling together when they have been quarantined for the prescribed time; proactively implement hygiene measures, personal precautions to protect officers and employees who come into direct contact with incoming passengers...

In addition, the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Health have requested hospitals under ministries and branches located in the area and medical units inside and outside the public sector to strengthen monitoring, early detection of suspected Ebola cases and proactively report cases to the Provincial Center for Preventive Medicine for timely coordination in handling according to regulations; pay special attention to cases coming to or returning to Vietnam from African countries and countries with epidemics; the Provincial Center for Preventive Medicine has strengthened medical quarantine work at Vinh Airport, Cua Lo Port and Nam Can Border Gate, and implemented the application of medical declarations for entrants...

The health sector recommends that people should stay calm, not panic or worry too much. Understand the epidemic, the transmission mechanism and measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic; if a family member is sick, immediately notify the public health agency for isolation measures; pay attention when people around you have symptoms such as aches, fever, diarrhea, sneezing; wear protective clothing according to medical standards when in contact with Ebola patients; implement absolute hygiene and sterilization measures after contact with people with Ebola; pay attention to personal hygiene, regular environmental hygiene, wash hands with soap, disinfectant solution, clean the house; do not eat wild animal meat, avoid flying to areas with epidemics... When there are signs of cough, fever, fatigue, you should go to a medical facility promptly.

Thanh Son