Part 1

Part 1: Uncover the secrets of EbolaSimran Johal 12Kent

Pictured: Ebola Virus

The Ebola virus is one of 5 viruses that belong to the genus Ebolavirus.4 of these viruses will cause Ebola Virus Disease, a type of hemorrhagic fever which is in many cases fatal to humans.The disease takes it name from the village near by the Ebola River.Morality Rate: 83-90%Ebola first occurred in 1976, within the countries: Sudan and the Democratic Republic of CongoOverall (throughout history), Ebola has caused the deaths of 12,781

What is Ebola?How Ebola worksEbola is a RNA virus. The virus proliferates by invading host cells, injecting its RNA and disabling their protective mechanisms, effectively reprogramming the cell to manufacture Ebola viruses.

There have been multiple Ebola outbreaks in the past, however none have been more deadly and widespread as the current outbreak in West Africa (Total Deaths (as of June 14, 2015 CDC: The virus originally spread to humans from the probable ingestion of wild animals (bush meat) such as Monkeys, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Fruit Bats and forest antelope. How is it spread?The Natural Reservoir of the Ebola Virus is unclear. However the most likely contender is the fruit bat.Transmission from Human to Human:Mainly via direct contact:Bodily fluids: Blood, sweat, urine, vomit, breastmilk, faeces, etc.Objects contaminated by the Virus, e.g. needles and syringes. Needle stick or unBeing in contact with dead bodies. Funeral mourners are particularly at riskThrough the broken skin of an uninfected personOther methods of contraction:Contact with surfaces/ materials contaminated with the fluids mentioned above.Ebola is an especially deadly virus as people whom have recovered from Ebola may still be infectious for 7 weeks. Dead bodies: This is the period where the body is most infectious Ebola is not an air borne disease and needs direct bodily contact.However, when fluids in large droplets make contact with the eyes, mouth, nose or cut of an uninfected person from a infected person, this may transmit the Ebola virus.

TransmissionEbola is quite difficult to diagnose and many of its symptoms are similar to that of the influenza virus, a common seasonal disease.What effects does it have on the body- Symptoms

Symptoms usually start between 2-21 daysVictims of Ebola also suffer internal bleeding as the Ebola virus directly attacks the immune system, causing internal blood vessels to become more leaky.

The Liver is prone to internal bleeding and organ failure starts to occur.You will become seriously dehydrated when Ebola reaches fatal stages.Ebola impact on communitiesGroups: UNICEF Medecins Sans FrontieresThese children urgently need special attention and support; yet many of them feel unwanted and even abandoned. Orphans are usually taken in by a member of the extended family, but in some communities, the fear surrounding Ebola is becoming stronger than family ties. Manuel Fountaine, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa on orphaned childrenLiberias CSOs Ebola Response impact in communities youtube6Impacts: Social, Economic or EnvironmentalIncreased usage of maternal health clinics has resulted in the number of households reporting birth in a hospital or clinic. (positive)Social- The fear of infection has broken down whatever social unity there was in communities that are now plagued by Ebola.Households struggling to cope with events, no option but to sell up their assets, which increases their vulnerability.Schools have been shut for monthsChildren are orphanedIn Kono, Sierra Leone bans placed on wild plats and bush meat have meant that people are struggling to feed themselves. Nor can they use these plants for medicinal purposes .Economic- Ebola has lead to reduced growth rates and increased inflammation. The work force of countries in West Africa, is falling due to deaths.Demand has fallen as export falls (closure of market borders), investment is deterred (FDI falls to zero).Estimated reduced GDP growth: Liberia by 2.2%, Guinea by 2.3% and Sierra Leone by 1.7%. Fall in mineral prices may have contributed to this. The Tonkolili Mine ceased production in Dec 2014.Average hotel occupancy rates have fallen from 80% before the outbreak to 40% currently, due to governments advising against foreign nationals travelling to epidemic affected countries.Rise in the prices (inflammation) essential commodities 7

The Ebola crisis has put all 3 of these West African countries into economic paralysis, however as of now their economies are slowly starting to recover. Here are some od the main social/ economic impacts the have arose in each country due to Ebola:Sierra Leone- Iron ore miming industry deeply impacted with the 40% drop in global iron prices and inflation. There have been knock on effects on the countries micro- economy suppressing informal livelihood opportunities for poor people.Guinea- has suffered major losses in its transport sector; 1,500 jobs lost. Teachers and administrative officers were made redundant as many children stopped coming to school during the height of the outbreak. Region in crisis: West AfricaThe world bank estimates that the Ebola outbreak could cost West Africa 20.3 billion by the end of 2015. Liberia- Weak infrastructure and poor transportation systems have constrained the growth of agriculture markets in Liberia throughout the post-war recovery period and the additional limitations brought by Ebola policies have magnified these barriers to trade.

Total suspected, probable, and confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone by WHO Situation ReportThe gradient is decreasing now as opposed from the October 2014 to January 2015 period. This indicated that people are now on the road to recovery and the outbreak will soon be over.Websiteshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola_virushttp://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/http://www.cdc.govhttp://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/nov/04/ebola-sierra-leone-small-scale-mining-sector-catastropic-consequencesGeofiles

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