Ebola not yet a threat
South Africans do not need to be concerned about ebola yet, although some hospitals are prepared for the disease.
There have been no cases of ebola reported within South Africa, but most countries infected are in West Africa.
As of October 14, more than 4 500 people have died from ebola out of a total of around 10 000 cases registered in seven countries, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Hendrik Buda, communications manager for Far East Rand Hospital (FERH), says there have been no cases reported at the hospital and that there were no false alarms.
“We have erected isolation units, purchased moon gear protective clothing and trained staff on the identification and management of suspected cases,” says Buda.
In the event that a person enters the hospital showing symptoms of ebola, the hospital will follow the protocol of the National Health Department and subsequently refer the patient to their referral hospital that is accredited to handle ebola cases, which is the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg.
According to www.gems.gov.za, ebola is a severe, acute viral illness usually characterised by fever, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and intense weakness.
The disease then progresses to diarrhoea, vomiting, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and internal and external bleeding.
A person can only contract the virus through exposure to the blood, organs or bodily discharges of infected individuals or animals.
The virus cannot be passed on merely by being in the same vicinity as someone with the disease as it is not airborne.
A specialist physician at N17 Hospital says the ebola virus does not originate from South Africa.
“There has to be a travel history to any of the infected countries or contact with a suspect individual for it to enter our country,” he says.
According to the physician, there are no antibiotics for this disease and treatment is done in highly specialised hospital units.
“Certain antiviral drugs and other agents have been tried with some success.”
The first cases were described 40 years ago in Zaïre and Sudan, the latest and most severe epidemic is in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
“About 10 000 cases have been reported with about 5 000 deaths, but these figures are probably grossly underestimated,” he adds.
