Leishmaniasis and Ebola are severe, often fatal viral illnesses affecting humans, with the latter affecting primates as well. These illnesses are prevalent in limited epidemic areas with extreme cases reported in third world countries. Leishmaniasis, also known as Kala-azar is a viral illness characterized by weight loss, spleen and liver enlargement, anemia and irregular streaks of fever. While the epidemiology of Leishmaniasis is dependent on a wide range of factors such as past exposure to the transmitting parasites, ecological factors, human behavior and the characteristics of the transmitting parasite, etc., migration is an important factor to the fatality of this illness, although subject to certain factors such as availability of the specific vectors associated with this illness. Similarly, the severity of Ebola is highly dependent on a variety of causative as well as augmenting factors. Ebola, formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is transmitted to humans from primates, then transmits to other people through direct contact with bodily fluids, secretions and surfaces or materials contaminated with these fluids.
Mumps, more prevalent in Europe is a mild contagious childhood infection caused by a virus, which primarily affects salivary glands. This virus can be transmitted by other respiratory secretions which then travel to the salivary glands and reproduce, consequently leading to swelling. In extreme cases, the Mumps virus can affect adults with the complications proving fatal. Symptoms such as the inflammation of the pancreas, meninges, ovary, and testis are reported in severe cases of this infection. This paper aims to compare the prevalence, distribution and contributing factors of Leishmaniasis and Ebola to Mumps.
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Leishmaniasis and Ebola viruses are more prevalent in tropical regions of the world. Leishmaniasis occurs in 82 tropical and subtropical countries of Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. Serious cases of Leishmaniasis are however reported in limited areas of the world, in countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Syria, and Sudan, among others. Ebola virus originated from remote villages of Central Africa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo near tropical rainforests and spread to neighboring regions such a Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The virus later spread to other African countries leading to the current distribution of Ebola virus prevalent in the central and west regions of Africa. Mumps, on the other hand, was primarily a childhood infection and often an epidemic among military recruits. However, in regards to epidemiology, there have been reported cases of Mumps outbreaks in many European countries since 2006, which has then spread to some regions of the United States.
Several factors drive the emergence and spread of these illnesses, thus resulting in an increase in the mortality rate. Some of these factors include poverty, malnutrition as well as environmental characteristics, which are especially common with Ebola and Leishmaniasis. Climatic factors are known to heavily influence the spread of leishmaniasis. Immunosuppression by HIV, among other factors is another pervasive cause of the spread and fatality of these illnesses. Unvaccinated individuals are also at the risk of contracting a Mumps infection and thus spreading it to other unvaccinated individuals with suppressed immunity. Living in close proximity or virtual contact with infected individuals is a risk factor for contracting these illnesses.
Treatment options are available for these diseases. The treatment options are however more effective if administered before extensive damage is done to a patient’s immunity. These illnesses often become fatal within a relatively short time, thus becoming an epidemic. Ant parasitic drugs are often prescribed to patients with mild Leishmaniasis. Severe cases of this illness are however specially treated. Mumps virus, on the other hand, is treated with pain and inflammation relievers as well as intake of fluids. Vaccination options also exist to prevent complications by the Mumps virus such as permanent deafness and rare cases of encephalitis. There is no definitive cure for Ebola, however, treatment is administered in the form of fluids and electrolytes that destroy infected cells and thus managing the fatal symptoms. Ebola is a leading cause of death in the endemic areas.
