EPIDEMIOLOGICAL NOTES ON EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE IN NIGERIA
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Date
2016
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
Abstract
The recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa and the sensational news and report of
confirmed cases in Nigeria sparked off considerable but justifiable concerns and political commitments, not only
in the West African Sub-region but in other parts of the world. EVD is a rapidly fatal and highly contagious
disease, killing more than 50% of its infected victims. The global implications of the disease, beyond the
immediately affected geographical region, are enormous, especially on international trade, travels, health, sport,
political gatherings and widespread stigmatization of individuals, countries and even the continents. At present,
there is no licensed drug or vaccine to prevent or cure the disease. The constraint of rapid dissemination of vital
information about the disease to rural and poorly accessible areas is a major impediment. Inadequate health
facilities, deep rooted socio-cultural taboos, belief and practices collectively constitute serious stumbling block
to controlling the disease. The natural reservoir host of Ebola virus remains unknown. However, on the basis of
available evidence, researchers believe that the virus is zoonotic (animal borne) with bat being the most
suspected reservoir. The potential transmission of EVD is considerable and the task of controlling it is daunting.
Description
Keywords
Epidemiology, Ebola Virus Disease, Zoonosis, Nigeria
Citation
Aiyedun and Oludairo, 2016