Review

The biggest outbreak of 2014: Ebola virus disease

10.5455/gulhane.170082

  • Cengiz Han Açıkel

Received Date: 24.09.2014 Accepted Date: 24.09.2014 Gulhane Med J 2014;56(3):194-197

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), is a highly fatal disease caused by Ebola virus strains. Ebola first discovered in Sudan and Congo, and it is caused by infection with an RNA virus of the family Filoviridae. Ebola virus outbreaks detected many times up to now and, the recent West Africa outbreak that started in March 2014 has not controlled yet. The fairest specification of outbreak is its high fatality rate. During March-September 2014 period 5864 EVD suspected cases reported and fatality rate calculated as 47.9%. Infection may spread out by contact infected animals blood and body fluids or contact with patients blood, body fluids and contaminated materials. From this aspect infection among health care personnel and epidemics lead by hospitals was not rare. Hospital source contaminations were detected in many previous outbreaks. There is no specific treatment existing against to virus and vaccination researches are continuing. The supportive treatments are performing in order to decrease mortality. However, no EVD patients had reported yet in our country Turkish Ministry of Health have made necessary preparedness. Ministry of Health defined case definitions and diagnostic standards by publishing a guide, and the reference laboratory for Turkey and responsible hospitals to transfer of patient are determined. Health care personnel of Turkish Armed Forces should be informed about disease and its important adequate evaluation and guiding by them in case of suspected case detection. In this manuscript we set the framework of main aspects of disease, up to date situation of 2014 epidemics, guidance in case of suspected patient detection, and actions to be taken by health care personnel and health institutions.

Keywords: Ebola virus disease, Outbreak