Ebola's pandemic potential is different from Covid-19, says infectious disease specialist
Infectious disease specialist Giovanna Marssola, from Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, stated, in an interview with CNN Brasil, that the pandemic potential of Ebola is different from that observed in Covid-19. According to her, the transmission characteristics of the disease make epidemiological control more viable than it was during the coronavirus pandemic.
One of the main factors that differentiate Ebola from Covid-19, according to Marssola, is the form of contagion.
"Ebola does not have a respiratory transmission like the coronavirus", said the expert. "Ebola is transmitted through contact with fluids from an infected individual," such as vomit and blood. This significantly reduces the chance of the disease spreading in environments such as airplanes, where, in the case of coronavirus, limited air exchange favored contamination.
Another point highlighted by Marssola is that, in Ebola, the patient only transmits the disease from the moment they show symptoms, unlike what happened with Covid-19.
"Patients with Covid transmitted the disease before symptoms began, in what we call the incubation period. This is not the case with Ebola", he explained. This feature allows health authorities to track and isolate cases more quickly, reducing the risk of chain transmission.
Suspected cases must be reported to Epidemiological Surveillance
Marssola highlighted that, despite Ebola being a highly lethal disease, surveillance measures are being implemented in a timely manner. "Every suspected case must be promptly notified to the Epidemiological Surveillance, so that all measures are implemented effectively", he said.
In São Paulo, suspected cases are sent to the Emílio Ribas Institute, which is prepared to receive them, minimizing transmission risks, including to health professionals.
The tests collected at the Emílio Ribas Institute are sent to the Adolfo Lutz Institute to confirm the diagnosis, a process that takes a few days. In parallel, other diseases are investigated, as symptoms such as fever and headache can also indicate different conditions.
"Several other diseases cause fever and headache. So, while the Ebola test is not available, other diseases are being investigated. Malaria is one of them", said Marssola.
Prevention involves avoiding regions with active transmission
As for prevention, the specialist advised that the main measure is to avoid contact with suspected cases and, as far as possible, not frequent regions where the disease is active. According to her, the suspected cases are concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, a country that borders Congo.
"We still have no reports of transmission in other areas," he said. In Brazil, the case investigated at the time of the interview was the first suspect registered in the country, without confirmation, and would have been acquired outside the national territory.
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Source: CNN