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No scientific proof that bitter kola cures Ebola–Expert

No scientific proof that bitter kola cures Ebola–Expert New York[RR] Abuja–According to Consultant Infectious Diseases specialist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Dr. Mike Iroezindu there is scientific proof that bitter kola cures Ebola, he said. In an exclusive interview with MOTUNRAYO JOEL, Dr. Mike Iroezindu, discusses the Ebola virus disease, strains and […]

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No scientific proof that bitter kola cures Ebola–Expert

New York[RR] Abuja–According to Consultant Infectious Diseases specialist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Dr. Mike Iroezindu there is scientific proof that bitter kola cures Ebola, he said. In an exclusive interview with MOTUNRAYO JOEL, Dr. Mike Iroezindu, discusses the Ebola virus disease, strains and treatment among others, Republic Reporters has learned.

Iroezindu said: “There are about five different strains of Ebola the virus which have been named after the places where they “originated”. They include the Sudan, Zaire, Ivory Coast (only a solitary case of Ivory Coast Ebola in a researcher who survived), Bundibugyo (in Uganda), and Reston (in the USA) strains. Unlike the other strains, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) says that there is evidence of Reston Ebola infection in humans, but no case of illness in a human being has been reported. The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is generally attributed to the Zaire strain which incidentally is deadly.

“There are so many precautionary measures various cadres of health workers can adopt in order to protect themselves and other patients who are not infected with Ebola from contracting the disease. Now that the outbreak is on, both affected and non-affected areas should carry out health education and sensitisation of health workers on the Ebola virus disease in all facilities. This is a proactive measure that will lay emphasis on how the disease is transmitted, how it manifests and how it can be prevented. Secondly, as a sequel to health education, all health care workers must have a high index of suspicion to be able to make prompt diagnosis of “suspected EVD” in any patient who has relevant clinical and/or travel history. Thirdly, they should restrict all non-essential staff and virtually all visitors from Ebola patient care areas. Also, they should ensure that all individuals around or taking care of a suspected, probable or confirmed Ebola patient use complete personal protective equipment made up of impermeable gown, head/facial covers, surgical gloves, eye visor or goggles, face mask, boots, etc. In case the gown is non-impermeable, an additional waterproof apron must be worn over it. In addition, before exiting the area where the Ebola case is being isolated, they should carefully remove and dispose of PPE and disinfect hands appropriately. Soiled linen should be placed in clearly-labelled, leak-proof bags or containers at the site of use and the container surfaces should be disinfected before removal from the site. The handling of dead Ebola victims should be kept to a minimum and all the people involved should wear complete PPE. Then the remains of the Ebola victim should not be sprayed, washed, embalmed or displayed e.g. lying-in-state.

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What are the types of the Ebola virus disease and which is the most common currently?

There are about five different strains of Ebola the virus which have been named after the places where they “originated”. They include the Sudan, Zaire, Ivory Coast (only a solitary case of Ivory Coast Ebola in a researcher who survived), Bundibugyo (in Uganda), and Reston (in the USA) strains. Unlike the other strains, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) says that there is evidence of Reston Ebola infection in humans, but no case of illness in a human being has been reported. The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is generally attributed to the Zaire strain which incidentally is deadly.

What precautionary measures do you have for health workers as they stand the chance of contracting the disease from infected persons?

There are so many precautionary measures various cadres of health workers can adopt in order to protect themselves and other patients who are not infected with Ebola from contracting the disease. Now that the outbreak is on, both affected and non-affected areas should carry out health education and sensitisation of health workers on the Ebola virus disease in all facilities. This is a proactive measure that will lay emphasis on how the disease is transmitted, how it manifests and how it can be prevented. Secondly, as a sequel to health education, all health care workers must have a high index of suspicion to be able to make prompt diagnosis of “suspected EVD” in any patient who has relevant clinical and/or travel history. Thirdly, they should restrict all non-essential staff and virtually all visitors from Ebola patient care areas. Also, they should ensure that all individuals around or taking care of a suspected, probable or confirmed Ebola patient use complete personal protective equipment made up of impermeable gown, head/facial covers, surgical gloves, eye visor or goggles, face mask, boots, etc. In case the gown is non-impermeable, an additional waterproof apron must be worn over it. In addition, before exiting the area where the Ebola case is being isolated, they should carefully remove and dispose of PPE and disinfect hands appropriately. Soiled linen should be placed in clearly-labelled, leak-proof bags or containers at the site of use and the container surfaces should be disinfected before removal from the site. The handling of dead Ebola victims should be kept to a minimum and all the people involved should wear complete PPE. Then the remains of the Ebola victim should not be sprayed, washed, embalmed or displayed e.g. lying-in-state.

Can coughing and sneezing spread the virus?

Although the Ebola virus is not really spread by inhalational means (i.e. breathing contaminated air), if virus-laden secretions are actively transferred (e.g. during sneezing) from the infected patient to the mucous membranes e.g. mouth, nostrils or eyes of someone taking care of the Ebola victim, then spreading of the virus becomes possible.

What is the latest on Ebola drug?

As at today, to the best of my knowledge, there is no approved specific drug treatment for Ebola. As you know, trials are going on here and there. It has been reported that Kent Bradley and Nancy Writebol, the two US missionaries who contracted the disease in Liberia received some form of treatment with serum while in Liberia. We have been made to understand that they also received experimental treatment with antibody tablets which has not happened before. This treatment is still on-going at Emory University Hospital in the US where they are receiving care. I understand the drug in question is called ZMapp (a cocktail of three antibodies with strong activity against Ebola) and manufactured by Mapp Biopharmaceuticals based in San Diego, United States. Let’s wait and see what happens then. But one thing is glaring; the appearance of this experimental but crucial drug only after American missionaries got sick brings us to the issue of socio-economic determinants of health and the ever present inequalities in global health. If Kent and Nancy survive, the next question will be, “what was the role of ZMapp in their survival?” Another question will be, “why did the two American missionaries get the experimental drug while several African patients were dying of a disease for which there is no specific cure?” Whatever the role of ZMapp turns out to be, we may have to ask the African-American Summit to reconvene and re-examine what the alliance truly stands for. But having said this, it is obvious that Africa needs to emulate the US when it comes to love and value for her citizens whether in health or in sickness.

Can bitter kola cure Ebola?

This has become a common question in Nigeria. To the best of my knowledge, there is no available scientific proof that bitter kola is cure for the Ebola virus disease. As the Nigeria’s Minister of Health clearly informed the populace, what is known is that Prof Maurice Iwu (an ethno Pharmacologist) and some American researchers carried out a research in 1999 where it was discovered that a constituent of bitter kola had some activity against Ebola virus. While this is an important research finding, it was an in vitro observation (in essence the observation was made in the test tube in the laboratory) and no clinical trials were carried out in animals or man as I understand. As a scientist and clinician, I know that this observation cannot be translated to mean cure. It is very good that Iwu himself is a member of the team recently constituted by the Federal Government for Ebola Treatment Research. This is therefore a good opportunity to move the findings of that research to the next level. Whoever finds a cure for the EVD in bitter kola or any natural or synthetic product would probably be considered for Nobel Prize.

Is Ebola related to rabies?

There are things they share in common. First, both conditions are caused by viruses. Second, both are zoo noses (i.e. diseases of animals which can be transmitted from animal to man) and have common animal reservoirs such as bat. In addition, both conditions lead to high rate of fatality. In Ebola, fatality (i.e. proportion of individuals who will die after contracting the disease) could be as high as 90 per cent and for rabies it is almost 100 per cent.

Will a survivor of Ebola contract the disease again if exposed to an infected person?

The answer to this question can be extrapolated from the story of the first non-African survivor of Ebola, Cairns, now 71 years old and staying in a suburb of Minneapolis, United States. He survived Ebola in the 1970s. Health officials were so intrigued at the level of Ebola antibodies they discovered in his blood that they took samples to store in CDC freezers in the US to study and to use to help treat those who may come in contact with the virus in the future. In those initial years, he donated several samples but his anti-body levels eventually decreased over the years making him less immune to the disease than he once was. Since robust immunity to Ebola in a survivor is not lifelong, the risk of a future infection is not zero.

There are claims that people with high immunity may be able to survive EVD if infected, what is your take?

One of the ways the Ebola virus causes disease is by weakening the immune cells and the entire immune system. Other viral haemorrhagic fevers such as Lassa fever also do this. My knowledge of medicine tells me that this means that someone who already had a weakened immune system would be in a worse shape if Ebola strikes him. But beyond the level of immunity, the strain of Ebola and the extent of supportive care which an Ebola victim receives are other factors that can influence survival. For example, you and I know that Kent and Nancy would receive better supportive care in the US than the hundreds of Ebola victims battling with the disease in West Africa.

Credit: MOTUNRAYO JOEL

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