BUJUMBURA January 1st (ABP) – If you suspect someone with some of these Ebola symptoms, you should call 109,113 or 117, according to the ministry in charge of public health and the fight against AIDS. This disease is not reported in Burundi, reassures the ministry in charge of public health and the fight against AIDS. However, it has already caused several casualties in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which means that 20 health districts in Burundi bordering this country have priority in raising awareness for the prevention of this disease whose mortality rate is very high (90%).
According to Mr. Jean Louis Miango member of the unit in charge of the fight against Ebola disease at the Ministry of Public Health, this disease is caused by a virus that is manifested by a sudden and intense fever, highly contagious and very deadly.
At the beginning, the Ebola virus disease is manifested, according to him, by the sudden and intense fever higher than 38.5 degree, the headaches, the lack of appetite, the intense tiredness and generalized pains, the stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea.
At an advanced stage, the disease is manifested by a rash, redness of the eyes, bleeding in the orifices without forgetting that the patient can cause internal bleeding.
The symptoms of this disease manifest themselves from 2 to 21 days after the contamination, Miango says, adding that the Ebola virus is transmitted from wild animals to humans and inter-humans. He firmly states that it is forbidden to consume foods or fruits affected by wild animals infected with the Ebola virus; consume or touch the meat of contaminated wild animals. It is also forbidden to touch unprotected a person who is ill or died of Ebola, to touch unprotected liquids or secretions of an Ebola patient, namely sweat, blood, saliva, sperms, vomit and excrements and touch unprotected on any equipment used by the Ebola patient.
To prevent this disease, he warned that shaking hands should be avoided, washing hands regularly with clean water and soap, not touching unprotected an Ebola patient or their body fluids, not touching the dead body of Ebola when unprotected, avoid eating meat from dead animals, burn all the clothes and remains of an Ebola victim with appropriate protection. Eating from the same dish, drinking from the same cup and sleeping in the same bed with a sick person are forbidden.
He advises the public to avoid traditional practices that promote the transmission of the disease, such as funeral rituals, group meals, washing the body and transporting bodies.
Early treatment, which is otherwise free, increases the chances of survival, he said.
