Islamabad: An advisory to all the provinces by the Ministry of National Health Services including Islamabad administration, the Capital Development Authority about the necessary precautionary measures against the Ebola disease.
In the advisory, the ministry highlighted that this deadly virus has a death rate of almost 90% therefore precautionary measures must be implemented Ebola virus might travel to Pakistan through frequent travel from the affected region .
The ministry advised that Ebola was a severe acute viral illness often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscles pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, impaired kidney and liver functioning. In some cases, both internal and external bleeding also starts. The disease is spread through physical contacts with the infected person.
The risk of human-to-human transmission arises from direct or close contact with the infected persons, particularly with their body fluids. The advisory stated that gloves and appropriate personal protective gear should be worn while taking care of the Ebola patients at home and stressed the need for regular hand washing after interaction with Ebola patients.
Since till now no vaccination or effective treatment has been found therefore we need to rely on the age old saying of “Prevention is better than cure”.
According to Prof Javed Akram Vice Chancellor, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, it’s a viral disease and the virus spread because of a close contact, sexual transmission, through saliva and blood transfusion. It may have many similarities with HIV but it is far more dangerous. Unlike the 10 years incubation period of HIV Ebola develops into a full blown disease within a week and attacks the nervous system.
The professor stressed the need to screen people coming to Pakistan from West Africa region.