The Ebola epidemic witnessed in 2014 was the biggest in history. It affected a number of countries in West Africa and there are reported a few imported cased in the U.S. and other regions of the world. Now, when the Ebola outbreak is finally witnessing a stable subside, news for another disease scare is gripping the world. The mysterious new ailment is again starting from West Africa and it is believed to be worse even than Ebola.
In less than two weeks, an unidentified yet disease has taken the lives of about 18 people in Nigeria’s state Ondo. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), another 5 are currently receiving treatment. The ailment does not seem to focus on just one age group as infected people’s age varied between 25 and 60.
Reported symptoms feature blurred vision, headaches, as well as loss of consciousness, weight and sight. For most victims, however, these symptoms occurred just 24 hours before they were pronounced dead.
According to Nigeria health officials the mysterious new disease is not Ebola and it is not contagious. However, thanks to its severe symptoms it was quickly labeled as being “worse than Ebola.” In comparison to the new unidentified ailment, Ebola starts with milder symptoms like fever, sore throat, headaches and muscular pains. Also death often occurs between 6 to 16 days after Ebola virus symptoms first appear.
Is the Rest of the World in Danger?
This is the question that always comes as soon as news for any unknown or dangerous disease starts to flood the web. For now, there is no reason for people living outside Nigeria to worry about being infected by the mysterious ailment. Early tests have shown that the disease is not a viral or a bacterial infection. Theories behind its occurrence vary from locally brewed alcohol to pesticide poisoning caused by a weed killer.
The 2014 Ebola scare is still keeping Nigeria’s health authorities on alert, despite the fact that the country was among the least affected in West Africa and it was declared Ebola-free more than half a year ago. Therefore, the local government is considered well-prepared to handle another similar situation. A hospital where the new ailment was first observed is already under quarantine. Also, a volunteers and a disease surveillance team have been sendtto all the affected areas.
Neither Nigerian, nor global health authorities and organizations have issued a warning for people who have or plan to travel to Nigeria or the region. Therefore, for the time being, the UAE and the rest of the world have nothing to worry about.
Ebola epidemic in West Africa has so far claimed more than 10,000 lives. Even though this new, unidentified disease seems more aggressive in some ways than the Ebola virus, it not contagious and it is very isolated.
