It
seems revelations on the effect of the Ebola epidemic are far from over. The
latest revelations suggest a possible longer effect of the virus on the mental
ability of survivors.
A new study by US-based National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) confirmed what has been
a long held suspicion on the effect of the Ebola virus on survivors.
According to the report released last
week, many survivors of the deadly viral disease face certain neurological
symptoms that last long even after the potentially deadly infection had worn
off.
“While an end
to the outbreak has been declared, these survivors are still struggling with
long-term problems,” said Dr. Lauren Bowen, the study author, according to an
American Academy of Neurology news release.
The
researchers said they evaluated the health of around 82 survivors of the
disease in Liberia, one of three countries hardest hit by the epidemic that
erupted in early 2014 and lasted until early 2016.
Over 11, 000
lives were lost to it worldwide, mostly in the three neighboring countries of
Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, with over 28, 000 cases.
Sierra Leone has
over 3000 survivors and lost close to 4000 people to the virus.
The NINDS
researchers said most of the survivors were struggling with one or the other
kind of post Ebola neurological issues six months after they were first
infected with the deadly virus.
They said the
common symptoms associated with the survivors included memory loss, headache,
depression, weakness, muscle pain, irregular reflexes and abnormal eye
movements.
“We wanted to
find out more about possible continued long-term brain health problems for the
more than 17,000 survivors of the infection. It is important for us to know how
this virus may continue to affect the brain long-term,” said Bowen.
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