Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the recent Ebola outbreak, in several West African countries, a public health emergency. The current outbreak is the largest to date.

As of early October, more than 8 000 cases have been reported either as confirmed EVD, probable, and suspected cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The outbreak mainly involves three countries in Western Africa: Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone (although there have been additional cases and deaths reported in other countries). To date there have been more than 4 000 deaths.

At Anglo Medical Scheme we understand that the Ebola outbreak is a concern to both you and your family. The health and safety of our members is our top priority and our main responsibility is to keep you informed about this outbreak. We are working closely with healthcare providers, and engaging with the health authorities in South Africa to ensure access to the best of care for you and your loved ones, if you contract Ebola Virus Disease.

As its name suggests, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is caused by the Ebola virus. This disease belongs to a group of diseases known as viral haemorrhagic fevers. Because there is no vaccine or treatment available to treat people with Ebola, about 50% of people who become infected with the virus die. It is a notifiable disease, which means that by law, all cases need to be reported to the health authorities.

In infected people, the Ebola virus is present in body tissues and bodily fluids including blood, vomit, faeces, urine, nasal secretions, sweat, semen, saliva, and breast milk. The virus spreads through the skin or mucous membranes, after direct contact with an infected person or animal (for example bat, monkey and antelope). It also spreads through contact with contaminated items such as syringes, needles and bedding. It can also be acquired from consuming the meat of an infected animal, particularly if the meat is not cooked properly.
The incubation period is from 2 to 21 days. Humans are not infectious until they develop symptoms.

There is currently no cure, vaccine or treatment for Ebola. Infected people are given supportive therapy to manage symptoms such as dehydration and fever. Early supportive treatment may improve a patient's chance of survival.

It is important that you know what to look out for and monitor your health for the various signs and symptoms of Ebola, especially if you have recently (in the last 21 days) travelled to an area in Africa that is affected by the outbreak, or if you have been in contact with a person known to have, or suspected of having Ebola.
Remember however that when assessing your risk of Ebola infection, many of the visible symptoms can be associated with other illnesses.
If you have multiple symptoms and have been exposed to one or more of the risk factors of Ebola, it is essential you seek medical advice.

*Healthcare workers in particular are at high risk
**Refer to EVD situation reports posted on the NICD website (www.nicd.ac.za) for updated information on countries reporting EVD cases. (National Institute for Communicable Diseases www.nicd.ac.za)

Get medical care immediately. Remember to give an accurate description of your symptoms and a detailed travel history for the month before your symptoms started.
Most importantly, avoid contact with others to prevent spread, in case you are infected with the virus.

If you are based in South Africa and have been diagnosed with Ebola, you will be covered according to the rules and benefits available on your plan. Note that if you are on a plan that normally requires you to use a network hospital i.e. Value Care Plan members, this will not apply for treatment relating to Ebola, since you will be directed to one of the designated Ebola hospitals.

If you are outside of South Africa’s borders and need treatment for Ebola, you will be covered according to your personal International Travel Insurance cover for your return trip to South-Africa and upfront payment of your claims. Claims will be paid upon your return to South-Africa as per the Scheme rules and your benefit plan.

If you are in contact with the bodily fluids or tissues of someone infected with Ebola, the risk of contracting the virus is greatly increased. Family members of the person with Ebola, carers, and medical staff are at a higher risk. To lessen your risk:

• Avoid travelling to high-risk areas.
• If you have contact with a sick person who is suspected of having Ebola, do not touch their bodily fluids or any objects that could be contaminated with their fluids, without adequate protection.
• The Ebola virus can survive outside the body for several days so regular cleaning is important.
• Practise safe and sensible hygiene. Wash your hands often. (The World Health Organization suggests that waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used provided that hands are physically clean or not visibly soiled).
• Do not touch dead bodies.
• Avoid funeral practices that require touching, washing or kissing the dead body of a person who died from, or was suspected to have died from Ebola.
• Avoid contact with animals that pose a high risk, such as bats or primates (monkeys, apes), even if they seem healthy and do not touch animals that are dead or appear sick.
• Cook animal products (meat/blood) well before eating.
• People with Ebola symptoms or those who have had Ebola should not have any sexual activity. Semen can contain the Ebola virus for many weeks after recovery, so men who have recovered from this disease should either avoid intercourse or use condoms for three months afterwards.

All South Africans are advised to avoid non-essential travel to high risk countries, namely Liberia, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. South Africans are not restricted from travelling to these countries, but returning travellers from these countries will be subjected to rigorous screening and medical assessments on their return to South Africa, at the port of entry, before being allowed into the country.
Please remember to monitor your health for 21 days after leaving a high-risk area, or being in contact with someone suspected of having Ebola.

For more information on Ebola, please refer to websites listed under resources.

• http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/
• www.internationalsos.com/ebola
• http://www.nicd.ac.za/

This article contains opinions and facts and references to other information sources. You should always consult a registered healthcare professional for any personal advice

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