Ebola update: Nigerian state releases list of people placed under surveillance

NIGERIA - Cross River Government has released a list of suspected patients who have been placed under surveillance in a bid to forestall the Ebola outbreak.

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The Ebola virus facts: How is it contracted? What are the symptoms? How is it treated?

As the deadly Ebola virus gains more attention around the globe, some western countries are warning travelers to avoid visiting some West African nations.

According to news agencies, the American health agency CDC has sent 70 staffers to West Africa to help control the outbreak and screen passengers going to the US.

Fuse/Getty Images/Fuse The Ebola virus, seen magnified, has a fatality rate of up to 90% in patients but its outbreaks are primarily in Central and West Africa. The virus is spread by direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids.

Here are some fast facts on what you need to know about the virus that has claimed nearly 900 lives in West Africa.

Fortunately contracting the deadly virus which has a fatality rate of up to 90%, is preventable.
Here are some fast facts on what you need to know about Ebola:

Sunday Alamba/AP A Nigerian health official wears a protective suit before screening passengers at an airport in Lagos, Nigeria on Monday. The precaution comes as nearly 900 people have died from the Ebola virus.

HOW IS EBOLA CONTRACTED?

• Human-to-human transmission, primarily through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine, feces, or semen
• Contact with contaminated objects such as needles and/or soiled bedding or clothing
• It's not airborne like the flu

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF EBOLA?

• Sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat

Followed by:

• Vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, some cases internal and external bleeding

HOW LONG BEFORE SYMPTOMS SHOW?

• Anywhere from 2 to 21 days, though 8 to 10 days is most common

WHAT DISEASES SHOULD BE RULED OUT FIRST?

• Malaria, typhoid fever, shigellosis, cholera, leptospirosis, plague, rickettsiosis, relapsing fever, meningitis, hepatitis and other viral haemorrhagic fevers

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE EBOLA VIRUS?

• Avoid direct contact with bodily fluids, someone suffering from Ebola or already deceased from it
• Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when in risk of such contact
• Wear gloves, a mask, and a long-protective gown if coming within a meter of an infected patient
• Anyone suspected of contracting the virus should be isolated and public health professionals notified

HOW IS EBOLA TREATED?

• Balancing the patient's fluids and electrolytes
• Maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure
• Treating them for any complicating infections
• There is no licensed vaccine available though several are being tested

WHERE ARE THE EBOLAOUTBREAKS?

• Primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests
• In Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone there have been 1,440 suspect and confirmed cases and 826 deaths as of July 30
• Suspected cases have been reported in Lagos , Nigeria

HOW ARE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES & U.S. OFFICIALS HANDLING THE VIRUS' POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FROM OVERSEAS?

• Border patrol agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Dulles Airport in Washington have been instructed to question incoming travelers about possible exposure to the virus and look for its symptoms
• UK Border Control personnel are active,y screening new arrivals from West Africa and cabin crew are observing passengers on incoming flights

HOW DID EBOLA EPIDEMIC START ?
There are many theories about where the virus came from but western health officials say it came from eating infected bats and apes. Many Africans living on the continent and in diaspora do not believe and claim the virus was man made in the US and transported to Africa to reduce the population of people in Africa. Within a few weeks almost a thousand people have died.


 Bottom line is this:

1. If you know someone who has the Ebola symptoms - tell them to go to the nearest clinic as fast as possible.
2. If that is not possible, keep away from members of the public, they should drink lots of water and use a re-hydration aid such as Dioralyte Relief
3. Wash your hands with water and soap whenever you arrive at a destination and when you get back home - you can use hand sanitizers such as this one that I find quite effective and pleasant

How to look 20 years younger in 6 easy steps

I think I look sixteen like these new high school graduates...What do you think?

Step One

Drink lots of water. If you drink up to 8 cups of water a day, your body will work more efficiently. Toxins in your blood stream will be flushed out, your digestion will be better and your system will be more efficient. People who drink lots of water each day report that their skin is more radiant and less prone to spots.

Step Two

Eat more than five portions of fruits. Fruits are rich in vitamin c which fights against free radicals in the body. The benefits of vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling.

Step Three

Exercise more. Giving your body regular cardio-vascular workout not only helps you to help your brain remain youthful for longer it also helps your body stay fit and slows down the aging process. Your bones become stronger and your stamina and alertness increase.

Step Four

Take vitamin and mineral supplements. Many of us in this modern age believe that once we eat a balanced diet that guarantees healthy eating. Recent studies have shown that most of the nutrients in our food is lost throw cooking, processing, packaging, storing and cooking. To get the minimum amount of minerals and vitamins, it is best to take a good multivitamin and mineral supplement.

Step Five

Sleep. Many of us do not have enough sleep at night and if we do, we do not have a good quality sleep. Many of us suffer from broke sleep due to child care, health problems, working long hours, stress and distractions such as TVs in the bedroom and using mobile phones at bed time. People who sleep 8 hours and more say they feel younger, more relax, alert and happier. If you are happy, you look younger.

Step Six

Live a stress free life. There is stress everywhere and we cannot deny that. But many of us can avoid stress if only we knew how to. There are many way to reduce or avoid stress: do not get involved in tricky situations that you cannot manage, have a career in something you truly love, do not have blazing rows with people, try to stay healthy, learn something new each day, forgive and forget, move on, sing, pray, have a supportive family and have good friends,

That is from me….do you look younger than your age? If so, please, we would like to know what you do to look young. So, please share your tips here…

 About the author: Morin Okenla is an artist and designer, teacher, writer, publisher, entrepreneur and online marketing and blogging expert. Follow her on Twitter @MorinOkenla

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