(Image source from: Is India ready to fight Ebola virus?})

Now that country's health ministry has acknowledged the possibility, no matter how remote, Ebola virus hitting Indian shores, it’s time we got ourselves educated on its consequences — what does it Ebola virus attack means, how does it spread and how we can stay safe?

Despite the union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan assurance that the threat is still far-fetched, measures are being taken to battle the situation, in case the virus reaches India.

Advisories have already been issued to state disease surveillance units for early detection and management of travel related cases. If it all it happens in India, it would be through people travelling back from the African countries where its outbreak has been reported — Guinea, Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Diagnostic facilities have been set up at the National Institute of Virology in Pune and National Centre for Disease Control in Delhi.

Now the question is should we be worried? No, because the possibility is very remote. But we should be prepared and cautious. That is because travel frequency between the African continent and India is very common. In case even one infected person lands in the community with the virus, India should be armed to deal with it and avoid its spread.

Until now, the country has withstood disease outbreaks like SARS. India has the means to handle it, but communities and people have to be very vigilant. And the best way to have vigilance is to educate.

Basic facts about Ebola
The ebola virus causes ebola haemorrhagic fever, often followed by bleeding. One can contract this by direct contact with blood or body fluids of an infected animal or humans.

The symptoms include are fever, sore throat, headaches and body pain. Nausea, diarrhea also may occur. Around 50-90 percent of people infected with this deadly virus can die.

Since there are no medicine for the disease yet, the treatment is mostly supportive and is aimed to stop bacterial and fungal infections. There is still no vaccine for this disease. The way to stay safe is to avoid contact and to wash hands.

AW: Suchorita Choudhury