Oral rehydration therapy of ebola virus disease in liberia: A report of 4 cases

Objective To investigate the effect of oral rehydration salts for treating Ebola virus disease. Methods The treatment outcomes of 4 patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease in Liberia were analyzed. Oral or intravenous rehydration salts were chosen according to the severity of illness and the occurrence of severe vomiting. The fluid volume was determined according to the following conditions; urine, feces and sweat volume, and the daily fluid volume was 750-2 000 mL. Three patients received oral rehydration salts; one patient received oral rehydration salts on the first day and intravenous rehydration salts afterwards due to severe illness. The rehydration salt treatment was given until the complete remission of clinical symptoms. Results The three patients receiving oral rehydration treatment survived and the severe case who also received intravenous treatment died finally. Conclusion Oral rehydration should be used as the first-line choice for early, long-term treatment of patients with mild to moderate Ebola virus disease in West Africa, where the economic and health situation are backward.