EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE

PREVENTION HANDBOOK

DOCUMENT CHANGE HISTORY

Revision

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Revision
Date
12/08/2014

Acholonu Emeka

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 EVD Signs and Symptoms, Causes and Transmission
3.0 Risk factors
4.0 Complications
5.0 Preparing for your appointment
6.0 Tests and diagnosis
7.0 Treatments and drugs
8.0 Ebola Virus Disease Preventive Actions
9.0 Vaccine development
10.0 When to Suspect Ebola Virus Disease
11.0 Transportation
12.0 Visitors to our Facilities
13.0 Education for Employees
14.0 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

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1.0 Introduction
Ebola viruses are viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers illnesses marked by severe
bleeding (hemorrhage), organ failure and, in many cases, death. Both viruses are native
to Africa, where sporadic outbreaks have occurred for decades and are currently
ravaging some parts of the continent, particularly the Western parts.
Ebola viruses live in animal hosts, and humans can contract the viruses from infected
animals. After the initial transmission, the viruses can spread from person to person
through contact with body fluids or contaminated needles.
No drug has been approved to treat the virus. People diagnosed with Ebola virus
disease receive supportive care and treatment for complications. Scientists are coming
closer to developing vaccines for these deadly diseases.
The Nigerian Federal and State Ministries of health and other Government Agencies are
monitoring the situation with a view to ensuring the effective monitoring, Controlling and
Prevention of the Ebola infectious disease, and have established designated hospitals,
centers and laboratories where tests for the Ebola virus can be performed and patients
admitted for disease management.
ABC LTD, as an organization committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our
employees, customers, stakeholders and neighboring communities, has developed this
document as a guide and enlightenment tool to educate all our stakeholders.
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe illness that starts with the abrupt onset of
fever, usually with headache, malaise and myalgia. Gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e.,
diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting) are common. Additional symptoms and signs may
occur (e.g., sore throat, chest pain, cough, rash, conjunctivitis). Hemorrhagic findings
(e.g., petechiae, ecchymosis, and hemorrhage) occur in 50% of cases. Leukopenia,
thrombocytopenia and transaminitis (elevated liver enzymes) are common laboratory
findings. The case fatality rate ranges from 50 to 90 per cent.
However, outbreaks of the disease have reported in some areas in the country and
most of them from unexpected angles. This has given concern to authorities and
managements of organizations. Hence the need to develop the ability and capacity to
prevent further occurrence and for supportive care to infected victims with a view to
lowering the number of people who get infected as well as reduce the case fatality
rates.
The incubation period for EVD is 2 to 21 days. Patients are not infectious during the
incubation period and prior to the onset of symptoms. Person-to-person transmission
can occur, primarily through direct contact with blood, body fluids, secretions and
excretions of someone who is sick or through indirect contact with material
contaminated with these substances

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Ebola virus is not an airborne pathogen. Transmission of EVD during the incubation
period while the person is still well has not been reported
2.0 EVD Signs and Symptoms, Causes and Transmission
2.1 Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms typically begin abruptly within five to 10 days of infection with
Ebola virus. Early signs and symptoms include:
Fever
Severe headache
Joint and muscle aches
Chills
Weakness
Over time, symptoms become increasingly severe and may include:
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea (may be bloody)
Red eyes
Raised rash
Chest pain and cough
Stomach pain
Severe weight loss
Bleeding, usually from the eyes, and bruising (people near death may bleed from other
orifices, such as ears, nose and rectum)
Internal bleeding
2.2 Causes
Ebola virus has been found in African monkeys, chimps and other nonhuman primates.
A milder strain of Ebola has been discovered in monkeys and pigs in the Philippines.
2.3 Transmission from animals to humans
Experts suspect that the virus is transmitted to humans through an infected animal's
bodily fluids. Examples include:
Blood. Butchering or eating infected animals can spread the viruses. Scientists who
have operated on infected animals as part of their research have also contracted the
virus.
2.4 Waste products. Tourists in certain African caves and some underground mine
workers have been infected with the virus, possibly through contact with the feces or
urine of infected bats.
2.5 Transmission from person to person
Infected people typically don't become contagious until they develop symptoms. Family
members are often infected as they care for sick relatives or prepare the dead for burial.
Medical personnel can be infected if they don't use protective gear, such as surgical
masks and gloves.
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Reused needles and syringes as well as unsterilized medical equipment are also
sources of contamination. Some of the worst Ebola epidemics have occurred because
contaminated injection equipment wasn't sterilized between uses.
There's no evidence that Ebola virus can be spread via insect bites.
3.0 Risk factors
For most people, the risk of getting Ebola virus (hemorrhagic fevers) is low. The risk
increases if you:
3.1 Travel to places with known epidemic cases. You're at increased risk if you visit
or work in areas where Ebola virus outbreaks have occurred.
3.2 Conduct animal research. People are more likely to contract the Ebola virus if they
conduct animal research with monkeys imported from Africa or the Philippines.
3.3 Provide medical or personal care. Family members are often infected as they
care for sick relatives. Medical personnel also can be infected if they don't use
protective gear, such as surgical masks and gloves.
3.6 Prepare people for burial. The bodies of people who have died of Ebola
hemorrhagic fever are still contagious. Helping prepare these bodies for burial can
increase your risk of developing the disease.
4.0 Complications
The Ebola hemorrhagic fever leads to death for a high percentage of people who are
affected. As the illness progresses, it can cause:
Multiple organ failure
Severe bleeding
Jaundice
Delirium
Seizures
Coma
Shock
One reason the virus is so deadly is that it interferes with the immune system's ability to
mount a defense. But scientists don't understand why some people recover from Ebola
while others don't.
For people who survive, recovery is slow. It may take months to regain weight and
strength, and the viruses remain in the body for weeks. People may experience:
Hair loss
Sensory changes
Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
Weakness
Fatigue
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Headaches
Eye inflammation
Testicular inflammation
5.0 Preparing for your appointment
The possibility of contracting Ebola virus is extremely low unless you've had direct
contact with the body fluids of an infected person or animal.
If you think that you or a family member may have been exposed to the virus, call your
doctor or go to the nearest designated ebola virus disease cases management centers
immediately. If you're not referred to an infectious disease specialist, ask to see one.
Be sure to tell your doctor or hospital about your symptoms before your visit so that
precautions can be taken to prevent transmission of the virus to others.
5.1 What you can do
Before your appointment, to help your doctor find the cause of your symptoms, write a
list that answers the following questions:
1. What symptoms do you have? When did they start?
2. Have you recently traveled to a place where cases of ebola virus disease has been
reported? If so, what part?
3. Did you hunt or eat monkeys or bush meat?
4. Did you recently visit caves or underground mines in the bush?
5. Did you come in contact with any sick person, either in public place like bus, taxi,
market place, etc?
If possible, take a family member or friend with you. Sometimes it can be difficult to
remember all the information provided to you in the hospital or during an appointment.
Someone who accompanies you may remember something you missed or forgot.
6.0 Tests and diagnosis
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is difficult to diagnose because early signs and symptoms
resemble those of other diseases, such as typhoid and malaria. If doctors suspect you
have Ebola virus, they use blood tests to quickly identify the virus, including:

7.0 Treatments and drugs

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No antiviral medications have proved effective in treating infection with ebola virus.
Supportive hospital care includes:
Providing fluids
Maintaining blood pressure
Providing oxygen as needed
Replacing lost blood
Treating other infections that develop
8.0 Ebola Virus Disease Preventive Actions
Prevention focuses on avoiding contact with the viruses.
The following precautions can help prevent infection and spread of Ebola virus disease.
8.1 Avoid areas of known outbreaks.
8.2 Wash your hands frequently. As with other infectious diseases, one of the most
important preventive measures is frequent hand-washing. Use soap and water, or use
alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol when soap and water
aren't available.
8.3 Avoid bush meat. Avoid buying or eating the wild animals, including nonhuman
primates, sold in local markets.
8.4 Avoid contact with infected people. In particular, caregivers should avoid contact
with the person's body fluids and tissues, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions
and saliva. People with Ebola are most contagious in the later stages of the disease.
8.5 Follow infection-control procedures. If you MUST assist anyone that has fever or
any combinations of the listed symptoms, wear protective clothing, such as gloves,
masks, gowns and eye shields.
8.6 Don't handle remains. The bodies of people who have died of Ebola disease are
still contagious. Specially organized and trained teams should bury the remains, using
appropriate safety equipment.
9.0 Vaccine development
Scientists are working on a variety of vaccines that would protect people from Ebola
virus. Some of the results have been promising, but further testing is needed.
10.0 When to Suspect Ebola Virus Disease
EVD should be suspected in all patients with fever and a positive travel history or
epidemiological exposure within 21 days of illness onset. A positive travel history
includes travel to any country where EVD outbreaks are occurring (e.g. Sierra Leone,
Guinea, Liberia, and Nigeria (Lagos) as of August 2014.)
11.0 Transportation
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Due to the crowded nature of our urban areas, employees are advised to make
informed decisions while using public transport. Be sure the person sitting next to you,
right, left, front or back is not having any of the stated symptoms.
As soon as you alight from a public bus, wash your hands with liberal amount of water
and soap. Apply hand sanitizer immediately.
12.0 Visitors to our Facilities
A hand-wash point is maintained close to the entrance gate of all our facilities with
relevant sanitizing items and soap.
Security men on duty should ensure that all visitors to our workplaces and office
premises are directed to the hand-wash point near the gate to get their hands washed
and sanitized.
Security supervisor, Mr. Udoh, to ensure that the items required by individuals to
sanitize their hands before entering the offices or workplaces are not lacking in supply.
Do not keep any towel for visitors to use.
Insist on the visitors using the provided hand sanitizing agent.
All visitors must be treated humanely and courteously.
13.0 Education for Employees
Employee teaching should include:
correct hand hygiene
basic hygiene practices that prevent the spread of microorganisms, such as
respiratory etiquette
appropriate use of PPE
self-screening for fever
Remember to seek medical attention the moment you develop any of these symptoms
and to advise anyone who develops any of the symptoms to seek medical attention.

14.0 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

ABC LTD.

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EBOLA HOTLINES IN NIGERIA

1.FEVER?
2.FEELING LIKE VOMITING?
3.DIAHREA?
4.SORE THROAT?
5.BODY PAINS?
6.WEAKNESS?
CALL
0800-EBOLA-HELP
0800-32652-4357! TOLL FREE!
MINISTRY OF HEALTH ON ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING NUMBERS:
08023169485, 08033086660, 08033065303,
08055281442, 08055329229

For more information, visit: www.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/ebola/en/

HELP PREVENT THE EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE,

DONT HELP TO SPREAD THE VIRUS!

ABC LTD.

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