Answer

Global Environmental Health Issue

Human encroachment into forests and natural habitats is one of the global environmental health issue.  Ebola is a zoonotic infection. The rationale for presenting Ebola as an environmental health issue is that key Ebola virus reservoirs, which are non-human primates such as monkeys and chimpanzees, live in forested areas (Coltart et al., 2017). Human beings hence increases the risk of contact with the virus as they clear forests for agriculture and/or settlement, thus, reducing the home size of reservoir animals. Due to reduced roaming range, non-human primates there is thus increased contact with humans. On the other hand, human beings who forage for food and fruits in the forested areas or bushes may as well increase the risk of contact with the Ebola virus.

            Ebola causes a fatal hemorrhaging fever in humans. The incubation period is 2 to 21 days between infection and onset of symptoms. It is characterized by petechiae, blood in stool, mucosal bleeding, oozing from venipuncture sites, and ecchymosis. Symptoms include abrupt onset of malaise and fever, hemorrhagic complications, headache, myalgia, diarrhea, vomiting, hiccups, rash,   and diarrhea. Other key symptoms include conjunctival injection, uveitis, and neurological symptoms (neck stiffness, altered consciousness, and seizures). Gastrointestinal symptoms such as electrolyte disturbance and fluid loss lead to arrhythmias, hypovolaemic shock, and sudden death (Coltart et al., 2017). Ebola has a great impact on the health systems. The 2013-2016 Ebola outbreaks in Western Africa resulted in 28,646 reported cases and 11,323 reported deaths (Coltart et al., 2017). The outbreak affected Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Mali (Cenciarelli et al., 2015). The outbreak demanded for deployment of approximately 1,600 personnel from the Centers of Disease and Prevention (CDC) and non-CDC staff. Besides, thousands of personnel from international agencies were also involved (Spengler et al., 2016). Nurses can play a significant role in the prevention of Ebola epidemics by mobilizing and educating communities at risk. Besides, nurses should educate at risk communities on the dangers associated with foraging of wild food and taking wild meat, especially meat derived from non-human primates. On the other hand, nurses can act as environmental advocates and activists, with focus on protection of forested areas to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases. In future outbreaks, nurses can engage communities in culturally appropriate public education, improving productive interagency relationships, communicate risks, and support survivors (Spengler et al., 2016).