Ugonjwa wa ebola hofu mpya nchini

Phinias Bashaya, Missenyi
SERIKALI mkoani Kagera imewataka Watanzania kuwa macho na ugonjwa wa kutisha uliozikumba nchi jirani za Uganda na Sudan unaofanana dalili zake kama ule wa Ebola.

Tahadhari hiyo ilitolewa na Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Missenyi, Issa Njiku mwishoni mwa wiki wakati akizungumza na baraza jipya la madiwani na kuwataka wananchi wa wilaya hiyo kuwa macho na wageni wanaopitia kwenye mipaka ya wilaya hiyo.
Dalili za ugonjwa wa ebola ni pamoja na kuumwa kichwa, kutapika damu, kuharisha na kukojoa damu huku mwili ukiishiwa nguvu na hatimaye kusababisha kifo cha haraka.

Njiku alisema kuanzia sasa serikali itakuwa ikiwakagua watu wanaoingia mpakani na nchi jirani ili kuwabaini watakaoingia nchini kutoka nchi jirani wakiwa na dalili za ugonjwa huo.
Kwa mujibu wa Njiku tayari wamepata taarifa za kuenea kwa ugonjwa huo Sudan ya Kati na Uganda Kaskazini na kuwa kutokana na mwingiliano mkubwa wa raia wa nchi hizo na wenyeji wa Missenyi, ugonjwa huo unaweza kulipuka wakati wowote.

Pia alisema dalili za ugonjwa huo zinafanana na ebola kwani mgonjwa anakubwa na kuumwa kichwa, kuutapika damu, huharisha na kukojoa damu huku mwili ukiishiwa na nguvu na kuagiza kila atakayebainika kuwa na ugonjwa huo atazuiwa mpakani.

"Tumefuatilia hadi nchi jirani ya Uganda, ugonjwa huo dalili zake ni kama zile za Ebola, tutatoa matangazo maeneo yote ya mpakani na kila atakayebainika kuwa na dalili hizo atazuiwa"alifafanua Njiku

Aidha mganga mkuu wa wilaya hiyo, Dk Zabron Masatu alisema walifuatilia taarifa za ugonjwa huo unaofananishwa na Ebola hadi nchini Uganda ambako waliambiwa kwamba watu 94 waligua ugonjwa huo na 31 kati yao walifariki dunia.
Kwa mujibu wa mganga huyo, bado wataalamu wa nchi hiyo hawajapata dawa wala kinga ya ugonjwa na kusema wameanza kuchukua tahadhali kutokana na kuwepo mwingiliano mkubwa wa wananchi kati ya nchi hizo.

Kwa mujibu wa vyanzo mbalimbali vya mtandao wa intaneti, ugonjwa wa Ebola ni tishio kutokana na kusambaa kwa njia ya hewa na kugusana ambapo mgonjwa hufariki baada ya muda mfupi.

Ugonjwa wa ebola uligundulika kwa mara ya kwanza mwaka 1976 katika nchi ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo ambapo tangu wakati huo hakuna matokeo ya utafiti yanayoonyesha wataalamu kupata chanzo wala kinga ya ugonjwa huo.

Jina Ebola lina asili ya mto Ebola uliopo nchini humo na nchi ya pili kukumbwa na ugonjwa huo ilikuwa Sudan Magharibi ambapo watu 397 walifariki kati ya 602 waliogungulika kuwa na virus vya ugonjwa huo.

Pia mwaka 2000 nchi jirani ya Uganda ilikumbwa na Ebola huku wataalamu wakieleza kuwa kuna uwezekano mkubwa wa nchi zilizo na nyani wengi barani Afrika kuendelea kulipukiwa na ugonjwa huo kutokana na kubainika kuwa wanyama hao ndiyo chanzo cha virus vya Ebola



Ebola, Hanta, and Hemorrhagic Fevers






What is it?

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) refer to a group of illnesses that are caused by several distinct families of viruses. In general, the term "viral hemorrhagic fever" is used to describe a severe multisystem syndrome (multisystem in that multiple organ systems in the body are affected). Characteristically, the overall vascular system is damaged, and the body's ability to regulate itself is impaired. These symptoms are often accompanied by hemorrhage (bleeding); however, the bleeding is itself rarely life-threatening. While some types of hemorrhagic fever viruses can cause relatively mild illnesses, many of these viruses cause severe, life-threatening disease.




What causes it?

Ebola, in particular, seems to be caused by direct contact with infected primates. Airborne transmission seems to be minimal. However, those who have either consumed monkeys with the virus, or been around the carcasses of infected non-human primates are at increased risk for contraction. Once the virus has entered the human body, normal means of transmission to other people is through contact with a person's body fluids, as with sexual activity. Viruses spread from animals to humans are called zoonoses. Certain viruses that result in hemorrhagic fever may also be the result of contact with rodents. Hantavirus, which has been found in the US, primarily in the southwest, is known to be contracted by contact with dormice feces and urine.




What are the symptoms?

Specific signs and symptoms vary by the type of VHF, but initial signs and symptoms often include marked fever, fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches, loss of strength, and exhaustion. Patients with severe cases of VHF often show signs of bleeding under the skin, in internal organs, or from body orifices like the mouth, eyes, or ears. However, although they may bleed from many sites around the body, patients rarely die because of blood loss. Severely ill patient cases may also show shock, nervous system malfunction, coma, delirium, and seizures. Some types of VHF are associated with renal (kidney) failure.




What is the treament?

Few forms of hemorrhagic fever have cures. Ebola doesn't have vaccinations, and there is no standard treatment, besides hospitalization, isolation, administration of fluids, and anti-viral medications. Since hemorrhagic fever is caused by viral rather than bacterial infection, antibiotics cannot eliminate the virus. Even with treatment, Ebola virus of the Zaire type has a 50% death rate. Prevention efforts must concentrate on avoiding contact with host species. If prevention methods fail and a case of VHF does occur, efforts should focus on preventing further transmission from person to person, if the virus can be transmitted in this way.Because many of the hosts that carry hemorrhagic fever viruses are rodents.