An expert explains what makes Ebola so dangerous

What are the symptoms?

The disease begins with very nonspecific symptoms, such as headache, sore throat, fever or body aches. "That's why she often goes unnoticed," she says. KremsnerOne to two days after the first symptoms, the fever accompanying inflammation is declared. Because, among other things, the blood vessels are damaged, it results in bleeding – internally and externally. Severe illness causes death in 50 to 70% of cases. "In a jungle in the Congo the situation is particularly precarious. But also the chances of survival in an intensive care unit of Germany are not exactly higher, "says Kremsner,

How are you Ebola transmitted?

The Ebola virus is spread through direct contact, from one person to another: blood, saliva, sweat, urine and other body fluids. Sometimes objects such as needles, surgical instruments or bed linen are also infected. Even infected bodies – humans and animals – are still contagious a few days after their death. Immune is only if you had the disease before or vaccinated, explained Kremsner,

How long are infected people contagious?

"Usually relatively short, during the disease phase," says KremsnerBut it has also been reported that viruses survive for months in men's sperm. Thus, during unprotected bad, transmission is potentially possible.

"A lot of people are bursting into West Africa will have infected at funerals ", suspected KremsnerDuring ceremonies, direct contact with the corpse is common. "In this regard, we are currently trying to educate and take protective measures at funerals."

Is there an effective treatment method against Ebola?

Not yet. Although some interesting approaches are currently under study, "unfortunately, there is still no method," says KremsnerHowever, there is now a vaccine that is already used in recent epidemics and also in the current Ebola outbreak.

However, this only works prophylactically. "If you are already infected, it is in most cases too late for vaccination to be successful." Congo preventively vaccinated: "If there is an infected person in a small village, the whole village is directly vaccinated." Even with the badistants are now vaccinated very consistently: all badistants who are involved in an Ebola outbreak are vaccinated.

What is the healing process of an Ebola virus disease?

People with Ebola must be strictly isolated, there is no specific cure. "Healing is a natural healing," says KremsnerStrengthen the immune system through hydration, control other diseases and eat healthy could reduce the death rate.

"But it's more a coincidence and the appearance of your own immune defense that saves the individual," says KremsnerIt is difficult to predict who will die and who will not die.

How is Ebola virus transferred to the man?

This has not been resolved to one hundred percent. But most likely, transmission is through vegetarian animals, such as bats. this animals are not sick, but wear that virus in itself. Then there is strong Kremsner often a kind of chain reaction: when about monkeys animals eat – or share, for example, a mango – they can be infected. Then they are weakened and become easy prey for hunters. Bring the killed animal home, family members can be infected by the carcbad. "The family is infecting relatives and destiny is on its way."

is Ebola in Germany possible?

"Basically, there is a risk for all countries, but Ebola viruses circulate mainly in central Africa"Said KremsnerIt is also the epidemic in West Africa "a little puzzle". But there is probably also a reservoir in bats Kremsner,

in Europe or Germany However, a spread is very unlikely. This could happen at most by an introduction by humans. "But with our health care system and the means of isolation is the danger that this virus crawling, very low. "

Can you Ebola completely exterminate?

"No, Ebola outbreaks will recur again and again," said Kremsner, the virus I have to nature and the animals adjusted. You could Ebola not just exterminate with a vaccine.

Read also:
The border of Löchrige endangers the fight Ebola in Congo and Uganda

of Alice Mecke/ ROUND