WHO issues first comprehensive guidelines for Ebola and Marburg care amid ongoing outbreak in Africa – Firstpost
As the Democratic Republic of the Congo battles an Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus, the World Health Organization has issued the first comprehensive guidelines for the clinical management of filovirus diseases, covering all known forms of Ebola and Marburg virus infections.
The new guidelines come at a critical time. the
Current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo And the neighborhood
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus is found in Ugandafor which there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment.
What are filovirus diseases?
Filoviruses are a family of highly infectious viruses that include Ebola virus, Sudan virus, Bundibugyo virus, Tay forest virus, and Marburg virus. These diseases can cause severe hemorrhagic fever, and historically have had mortality rates ranging from 25 percent to 90 percent during some outbreaks. Since Marburg virus was first discovered in 1967, Africa has reported 72 outbreaks of Ebola and Marburg viruses.
What do the new WHO guidelines recommend?
WHO recommendations focus on practical interventions that can be implemented even when advanced treatments are not available. As stated on the official website, recommendations include:
– Use of priority clinical laboratory tests to monitor patients with filovirus disease, to identify and manage treatable problems (eg, hypoglycemia, metabolic disorders)
– Treat dehydration quickly and accurately in patients suffering from filovirus disease using oral and intravenous rehydration
– Encourage early and accurate use of intravenous fluids and vasoactive drugs to treat shock in patients with filovirus disease (infection-induced hypotension, which if not properly treated leads to organ failure), guided by serial monitoring of vital signs and perfusion markers
– Confirm the presence of other bacterial infections, including bacterial sepsis, in patients with filovirus disease, and initiate appropriate antibiotic therapy.
– Providing organized follow-up care for patients who have survived filovirus disease to promote health, and to prevent further infections associated with the persistence of the virus in people who have recovered from the disease.
The guidelines also emphasize that supportive care forms the basis for any future antiviral treatments and clinical research efforts.
Why were the new guidelines introduced?
The World Health Organization says the recommendations are designed to help doctors, nurses and health systems provide better care during an outbreak, especially in settings with limited resources. Rather than focusing solely on medications, the guidelines emphasize the importance of early supportive care, which has been shown to significantly improve survival rates.
“These new guidelines are a perfect example of how WHO can leverage science to improve the protection and care of people during outbreaks and health emergencies,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said while announcing the recommendations. He added that the current Bundibugyo outbreak highlights the need for “diligent, comprehensive and person-centred medical care” to save lives and preserve dignity.
Lessons learned from past outbreaks
The recommendations were developed through consultations with global experts and drawing on lessons learned from recent events
Ebola and Marburg outbreaks. The goal is to standardize patient care across different outbreaks while helping governments and healthcare facilities prepare more effectively through better planning, staffing and medical supplies, the WHO said.
Why is this important?
The current outbreak has renewed concerns because the Bundibugyo strain lacks approved vaccines and treatments. Health authorities therefore view early diagnosis, rapid referral and high-quality supportive care as the most effective tools currently available to reduce mortality and improve outcomes.
while
The Ebola and Marburg outbreaks remain largely concentrated in AfricaIt can be seen that stronger clinical guidance can help countries respond more effectively, reduce deaths, and improve preparedness for future health emergencies.
