What is EBOLA?

By: Joe Mauricio

 

EBOLA is an agent of death that evokes a lot of fear and can result in societal disruption. There’s a reason why it’s considered a possible bio-terrorism agent. So any time you have outbreak cases in the United States, there is a heightened amount of anxiety. This fear is unwarranted, given that Ebola does not spread easily and the U.S. has advanced health care and public health system in place to deal with potential outbreaks. Many countries in the world, including the Philippines, are fortifying their defenses in case of an epidemic outbreak. Ebola is a disease of human and primates caused by ebolavirus. Symptoms start from two days to three weeks after contracting the virus, like fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and headaches. Typically, vomiting, and diarrhea follow along with decreased function of liver and kdneys. The virus may be acquired upon contact with blood and other body fluids of infected humans and animals. Fruit bats are believed to be carrier and may spread the virus without being affected. Once human infection occurs, the disease may spread between people as well. Male survivor may be able to transmit via semen. Outbreak control requires country engagement, airport surveillance and constant tracing, laboratory service and proper disposal of the dead through cremation or burial. Prevention includes decreasing the spread of disease from infected animals to humans. This may be done by checking such animals for infection and killing and properly disposing of bodies of diseased animals. Properly cooking meat and wearing protective clothing when handling meat may be helpful. Samples of bodily fluids and tissues from people with the disease should be handled with special caution. No specific treatment for Ebola is yet available. Efforts to help those who are infected includes giving oral rehydration therapy or intravenous fluids. This supportive care improves outcome with the virus. The disease has high risk of death, killing between 25% and 90% of those infected. The number of Ebola cases is probably doubling every four weeks Without mass mobilization of nations and relief groups, it will be impossible to get this disease quickly under control, and the planet Earth will have to live with Ebola virus forever. A lot of Filipinos, not only in America but throughout the world in the medical profession, are in danger of contracting the disease as they are mostly in the first line of defense. Extreme caution should be observed in putting on the protective garments provided by CDC (Communicable Disease Center), and likewise when taking them off assuming that the garments are infected. Disposing of used garments is also important, and they should be incinerated.

CPRTV’s Nick Vera Perez entertaining the Hall of Fame guests with his rendition of his competition “Let It Go,” which he formally launched at the HOF gala event last October 4, 2014. Nick, who was the recipient of the Excellence in Performing Arts award in 2013, also served as the co-emcee with Maria Girlie Pascual.

 

Alfredo (Alfie) Antone, the first Ateneans USA scholar from the Philippines was feted to a dinner at Chinatown Restaurant-Dempster) by the current Ateneans members; L-R Seated….Belle Calderon, Veronica Leighton, Juliet Borja, Victoria Secret, Leslie Anama (Ateneans USA current President), L-R Standing….Mr. Calderon (a LaSallite), Dr. Gina Omiatek, Joe Mauricio, Alfie Antone (Atenean USA Scholar), Ven Palomares, Titus Olivenza, Chester Omiatek, Jesse “Deb’ Farrales, Sonny Veneracion. Alfie Antone graduateed from Ateneo de Manila with a degree in Information Systems Management in 2004, and currently works as a Senior Manager, Human Resources Department of IBM Philippines. (Photo by S. Veneracion)