Description of the outbreak

Description of the outbreak

The disease was first discovered the present-day Congo, and it has significantly spread through new infections across the equatorial Africa regions. The belief is that the virus spread from nonhuman primates to human beings and other animals. Ebola is a rare disease that has a high mortality rate based on its presentation among human beings (Feldmann & Geisbert, 2011). An outbreak of the disease implies the increased infection of high numbers in society, and the condition is known to spread fast. Research articulates the persistence exhibited by the disease even among survivors in whose systems the disease stays for an additional 42 days after recovery (Deen et al., 2017). These are indicators of the high risks involved in the event of an outbreak of Ebola in a community.

Epidemiological determinants and risk factors

Epidemiological factors

The spread of Ebola in the West African countries was facilitated by different factors that increased the level of exposure of these communities to the virus. One of the main factors is poor infrastructures in the countries. The significance of infrastructure is a significant determiner in the efficiency and issues of access to vital resources that would enhance the outcomes of the health systems (Kamara, 2019). In the case of these countries, poor health infrastructure made it impossible to detect and diagnose the disease in the earlier stages (Robert et al., 2018). Inadequate health systems reflected the lack of proper health facilities to take care of the patients, lack of qualified personnel with training on how to handle the Ebola cases that were being presented to the different hospitals (Kamara, 2019). These are factors that led to the increased spread of the disease among the population due to ignorance and inexperience.

Poor infrastructure also included poor road connectivity, inefficient communication systems and absent transport systems in these countries. The importance of the road network is the movement of people from the rural areas to the urban regions to access healthcare; poor roads and poor communication made it difficult to trace patients and give them access to the requisite care that they needed (Zinszer et al., 2017). Issues such as civil war had rendered some of the West African countries impoverished (Kamara, 2019). For instance, Sierra Leone and Liberia have had decades of civil war leading to massive destruction of the very systems that would have been central in facilitating access to hospitals and proper care for Ebola patients in these areas.

Low health worker to population ratios in these countries remains a major epidemiological factor that facilitated the spread of the virus. A ratio of 2 doctors per 100,000 across the West African countries is a significant health issue that makes access to health a mirage (Selvaraj et al., 2018). This situation was worsened by the increased infection of about 700 health workers in these regions (Suchar et al., 2018). The experiences of the available health workers are compounded by their lack of access to protective gear that would also enhance their safety while at work. The limited awareness in the communities also accounts or most of the infections, including those of health workers who have access to protective gear at work. For instance, the 27 MSF workers who tested positive for Ebola were infected in the community and not at work (Kamara, 2019). These are indicators of the systemic failures that facilitated the spread of Ebola.

Culture also plays a vital role in facilitating the spread of Ebola in the West African countries of Sierra Leon, Gambia and Liberia where the virus has significantly affected populations. Activities such as funerals, including funeral rites, have fuelled the explosion of new cases across equatorial Africa (Rojek et al., 2017). The insistence on body contact with the corpses have led to infections, the engagements and contacts among mourners have also led to the increasing number of diseases across these regions. Further, the avoidance of modern medicine and reliance on traditional healers have also been the cultural aspects that have led to increased infections in the equatorial African regions (Adams et al., 2016). These are among the significant epidemiological factors that facilitated the increased aggravation of these societies by the Ebola virus.

Risk Factors

The Ebola virus is influenced by different risk factors that increase the chance of the spread of the virus. According to research by Adams (2016), it is essential to consider the various strategies for avoiding or managing the various risk factors for Ebola as a means of limiting exposure. It is necessary to establish an understanding of the critical risk factors and the impact that they have on the spread of the disease. Research also indicates that the chances of getting the disease are increased based on various aspects of individual lifestyle that make them susceptible to Ebola virus (Rojek et al., 2017). These are findings that have been established in areas where the disease has been widespread in terms of its impact and effects on the communities.

The discussion of the risk factors must also consider the individual who is at more risk of getting the virus. One of such groups is the animal researchers who directly handle rodents, primates and bats (Kamara, 2019). Researchers working in areas where the disease has been experienced are at more risk considering the link between the virus and nonhuman primates. Ebola is an animal-borne virus that is transmitted from given animals to human beings (Caleo et al., 2018). The disease is highly contagious, and as such, it is very easy for individuals handling animals in Ebola-prone areas to be at risk of contracting the virus (Robert et al., 2019). The risk of association with such animals is a significant issue that every researcher should remain cognizant of in their interactions.

Additionally, exposure to Ebola patients is also a risk factor that highlights the potential spread of Ebola. Health workers who are in direct contact with Ebola patients are at high risk, especially if they come into contact with the body fluids of these patients (Caleo et al., 2018). Considering that the disease is highly contagious, members of the society who come into contact with these fluids are also at high risk (Zinszer et al., 2017). Skin to skin contact, kissing, and other activities that may involve the exchange of body fluids are top risk factors that may herald the spread of the disease (Rojek et al., 2017). The exposure to body fluids of patients is a significant risk factor that many health workers face especially in their daily work schedules caring for patients.

Family members who take care of sick relatives in an outbreak area are also at risk of the virus.

The Ebola virus stays in the body for a long time even for those who have been cured of the virus (Suchar et al., 2018). For instance, a healed patient remains contagious for 42 days before the virus leaves the body, although, it stays in the male semen for many months (Rojek et al., 2017). The virus has also been detected in the eyes of survivors even after being considered healed of the infection (Adams, 2016). These are indications of the intensity of the virus and the risk of caregivers getting the disease from patients who are considered healed.

Further, the risk of household transmission of Ebola virus increases with the death of the index patient (Caleo et al., 2018). The failure to wear protective gear while caring for a sick family member remains the primary cause of new transmission within households in the outbreak areas.

As such, activities that involve coming into contact with the patient or their belongings are potential risk factors that increase exposure to the disease. For example, washing a patient’s clothes, sleeping in the same house, communal meals touching the body of the dead patient, or during illness (Rojek et al., 2017). These are both direct and indirect means of transmission of the virus that is often ignored in various circumstances. The level of association and contact defines the risk of contracting the virus either with the patient or the nonhuman primates that are considered the sources of the infection.

Route of transmission

The first infection resulted from the contact between a human being and a nonhuman primate. The understanding of the transition of this disease necessitates the need to interrogate the persistence of the virus among humans. Research indicates that the virus can stay in various body parts even after acute infection has been treated (Tenkorang, 2017). Areas such as the eyes, testes, placenta and interior parts of the eyes. The discussion of the transmission of Ebola should also consider these elements especially in defining the different modes of transmission of the virus

Direct contact remains a significant mode of transmission of Ebola in the population. The implication of direct contact captures the various objects such as clothes, medical equipment that are contaminated by body fluids (Deen et al., 2017). Body fluids such as urine, saliva, vomit, breast milk and semen are also considered elements of direct contact that may pass the virus from an infected person to an uninfected person (Feldmann & Geisbert, 2011). Indirect contact through these fluids also stands to promote the spread of the virus among the members of the community (Tenkorang, 2017). After the initial transmission from the nonhuman primate to human beings, the spillover effect of the disease extends to the interactions among human beings (Selvaraj et al., 2018). Ebola is highly contagious and requires increased efficiency in the management and avoidance of the transmission of the disease within a given population.

Impact on community

The effect of Ebola is a significant aspect of the disease that is relevant in the discussion of the pandemic. Death remains a considerable impact that affected different communities. Upon its outbreak, Ebola led to the deaths of thousands of people, including breadwinners, health workers in the community (Rogers et al., 2018). Apart from death, the psychosocial effects of the disease are also significant outcomes that affected the communities. All patients faced different levels of stigma and isolation that led to depression and anxiety levels among these patients (Tenkorang, 2017). The high mortality rates that the disease recorded also fuelled anxiety and the feelings of helplessness.

Considering the modes of transmission of the virus, community patters of association were interrupted by the outbreak of Ebola. Different communities were forced to exercise social distancing that led to the cessation of all cultural activities that were deemed as communal moments of interaction and association (Selvaraj et al., 2018). The loss of members of these communities also led to collective grief across the different communities in equatorial Africa.

Community economies also faced with of impact of the virus. The virus disrupted all economic activities leading to an economic slump in the various communities (Feldmann & Geisbert, 2011). Reduced economic activity also implies reduced revenues leading to a lowered access to vital resources such as health and education. For instance, a 9.4 per cent deficit was realized in Guinea, while Sierra Leone realized a 4.8 per cent deficit in the economy (Deen et al., 2017). These are indicators of the negative effects of the Ebola virus across the communities.

Reporting protocol

The reporting protocols of Ebola are essential strategies for limiting the spread of the disease across the different populations. There is a need for immediate reporting upon the suspicion of the infection on an individual (Deen et al., 2017). In every country, there are toll-free numbers given for reporting such cases and based on these reports; proper assessment is carried out by the health authorities. There is to be no physical engagement of the suspected patient unless one is authorized by the medical authorities wearing the right gear for such activities. There is a need to adhere to these measures to prevent progression of infection across the society.

Prevention strategies

Considering the modes of transmission of the disease, the prevention strategies have to consider these elements in enhancing the safety of the members of the community. For instance, research notes the need to avoid direct contact with body fluids such as sweat, semen, blood or urine of patients or individuals who have been treated for Ebola (Adams, 2016). Further, the handling of corpses of Ebola patients, contact with bats and raw meat should also be avoided as a means of prevention of infection (Kamara, 2019). The risk of disease is highest in areas where outbreaks have been reported, and as such, all activities that involve contact with any of the above elements should be avoided at all costs.

Hand washing has also been defined as a means of prevention of infection. The Ebola virus enters the human body through the open pores and mucous membranes that are found in the eyes, nose, and mouth (Tenkorang, 2017). The use of alcohol-based sanitizers, soap and water, is a sure means of prevention of Ebola virus infections. Deen et al. (2017) also add that a person in Ebola prone areas must also avoid touching the face with their hands while in public. This is a way of minimizing transference of virus from the hands to these areas.

The manifestation of Ebola remains a significant health issue in different societies. Every community must understand the implication of this disease, especially in terms of the means of transmission and prevention strategies. Various approaches have been considered efficiency in limiting infection, and as such, there is a need to explore these strategies towards limiting the spread of Ebola in the community. Talks of emerging vaccines are also vital in the war against the virus, considering that the virus will bolster the eradication process of the Ebola virus from the community.