Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever

Ebola VirusBy Erin Shearman

The Ebola Virus• The scientific name for this disease is the Ebola

Hemorrhagic Virus and it was named after the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, because it was the first place it was recognized. It has been seen in both human and primates and is highly fatal in both. In extreme cases internal and external bleeding occurs (hence the name, Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever) and there are three sub-types named after the places they were found, Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, Ebola- Ivory Coast and Ebola-Reston. Ebola-Reston has caused disease only in primates, not humans. The Ebola virus belongs to the Filoviridae family and is one of the two RNA viruses, the other being Marbugvirus. Both of these viruses cause strange blood coagulation which is often followed by death.

Cause Of Disease• The cause of this disease is coming into contact with

an infected animal host. This natural host has not been found by scientists trying to control the disease in Africa, but it has been said that common animal hosts are usually ticks, fleas and rats.

Transmission• The Ebolavirus is transmitted by either direct contact

of an infected person, such as touching a dead person with the disease, or contact with bodily secretions or blood of an infected person. Touching these fluids usually happens when a family member or friend of the infected person is caring for them, infecting themselves in the process and because of the highly infectious nature of the virus, easily passes it on.

Symptoms• The symptoms of this virus starts after the average

incubation period of 4-6 days. These symptoms include fever, sore throat, weakness, severe headaches, muscle and joint aching, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, a dry, hacking cough, stomach pain and internal, external bleeding is seen in extreme cases. In pregnant women miscarriage and heavy vaginal bleeding are also common symptoms. The victims usually suffer massive blood loss and die within two weeks of the symptoms occurring.

Treatment• There is no known treatment as an immunization for

Ebolavirus but there is supportive therapy available for victims. This supportive therapy includes; treating infections, balancing fluids and electrolytes in the body and maintaining oxygen and blood pressure.

Immunization• There is no known immunization for this virus.

Recovery• Sadly 90% of the victims of Ebola Virus do not

survive. As an example, in an outbreak in Sudan and Zaire in 1976, there were more than 550 cases and 340 deaths reported.

Is it Common?• The disease has only broken out in parts of Africa

and is native to there (hence the name Ebola, after the Ebola River in the Congo) but there has been no outbreaks in Australia. There was a scare when scientists found what might be the Ebola Virus but they found that it was a false alarm.

Interesting Facts• The virus is so infectious people studying and doctors

tending to patients of the virus have to wear full body gear including goggles, full body suits and gloves that are changed regularly. Even after the death of a patient it is necessary to not touch the patient just as much as if they were alive.

• After death of the victims of the Ebola Virus in Africa they are to be buried quickly with little ceremony and in a very untraditional way, which is even more upsetting to the natives.

Bibliography• http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/index.html• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola• http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?

articlekey=6518• http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/intro/bio_ebola-

att.htm• http://ebola.emedtv.com/ebola/causes-of-ebola.html• http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/

dispages/Fact_Sheets/Ebola_Fact_Booklet.pd