Ebola outbreak raises concerns over spread, expert says

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Zahid Butt on what the WHO calling the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda an international emergency means for Canadians.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the latest Ebola outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern is intended to strengthen international co-ordination and mobilize resources as the virus spreads across borders, an infectious disease expert says.

• READ MORE: WHO declares global health emergency over Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda

Dr. Zahid Butt, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist, says the declaration reflects growing concern about the potential for wider international spread.

“What it means is that, it’s not for Canada only, it’s for a more international spread of the virus,” he said in an interview with CTV News channel.

“They have declared it as an extraordinary event that requires, international collaboration and co-ordination.”

Butt said the WHO’s decision is aimed at helping affected regions access more support and supplies.

“And the reason they have done it is to mobilize more resources and supplies to the affected region,” he said.

Why this Ebola strain is concerning

Butt said one of the main concerns surrounding the current strain is the lack of vaccines and targeted treatments.

“This strain is of particular concern, because there are no vaccines for it, and there are no therapeutics for it,” he said.

“So, it’s mostly supportive treatment.”

He said timing and early detection are critical in improving outcomes for patients.

“The more early you’re able to detect the diseases, (the earlier) you can provide supportive treatment to these people,” he said.

According to Butt, the strain is one of four Ebola strains known to affect humans and has not been seen widely in recent years.

“The last time they saw it was in 2007 and 2012,” he said.

• READ MORE: A look at major Ebola outbreaks and when the disease was first identified

Concerns over cross-border spread

Butt said health officials are especially worried about the virus spreading internationally and the possibility that some infections have not yet been detected.

“They’re a bit concerned because (of) the way , it’s spreading across international borders,” he said.

He noted cases have already been identified outside the initial outbreak area.

“They suspect that there might be other cases that are not detected yet,” he added.

How Ebola spreads and symptoms to watch for

Butt said Ebola spreads through exposure to bodily fluids from an infected person.

“Well, it spreads through bodily fluids,” he said.

Butt said Ebola can spread through exposure to bodily fluids from an infected person, including blood and semen, as well as fluids released through symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

He said the virus has an incubation period ranging from two to 21 days, though symptoms commonly appear sooner.

“Incubation period is two to 21 days, but you can see the symptoms around eight to 10 days,” he said.