All About the Deadly Ebola

It was during the summer of 2014 that brought a dangrous Ebola epidemic. The disease originated in
West Africa. Gradually, it turned into a nationl, international, and political issue. It is also one of the
most common phrases searched online.
What is Ebola and how dangerous it is for West Africa and the rest of the world? Here's all that you
wanted to know about it:
Defining Ebola
The Ebola virus is deadly disease transmitted by both humans and animals. Initially, it was discovered
by scientists in the year 1976. The origin of discovery was in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of
Congo. The researchers had named the disease after the famous River Ebola that flows in the Congo.
Despite the existence of this disease since last three decades, people came to know about it only since
March 2014 after an outbreak in West Africa. Unfortunately, this outbreak had proved more deadly and
severe as compared to the outbreaks in the past.
The Causes
A member of Filoviridae, a viral family the Ebola virus is known as Filovirus. These are known for
causing severe fever leading to hemorrhage or profuse bleeding both within and outside the body. The
patient also suffers from very high fever. Ebola is categorized into subtypes named after location they
attacked. These include Sudan, Bundibugyo, Zaire, Reston, Ta Forest etc.
Originated in fruit bats of Africa, the virus is also referred to as zoonotic owing to its capability to
transmit to human beings from animals. The virus can also be transmitted from one human being to
another. Some of the other animals that can transmit this virus include porcupines, gorillas,
chimpanzees, antelopes, and monkeys. Handling infected animals can transmit virus through body
fluids and blood. Once infected, the individual can transmit the virus to another human being through
saliva, breast milk, vomit, sweat, urine, feces, and semen.
Ebola can also be spread through sticks from infected objects, such as needles, and interactions with
infected animals. To date, Ebola is only known to be transmitted from infected mammals and humans.
Insects like mosquitoes are not linked with carrying Ebola.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Ebola may take about 3 weeks to appear. Some of the most significant of these include
fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle pain, vomiting, bruising, diarrhea, and
unexplained bleeding. It is important to seek medical help for those suffering from fever that shoots
higher than 101.5 F or symtoms mentioned.
Treatment
No cure is available for Ebola at present. Only supportive measures help such as medications, oxygen,
maintaining electrolyte balances, and providing intravenous fluids to patients.
Prevention

A lot of precautions need to be taken to protect against the deadly virus such as spreading awareness
about it, avoiding contact with blood and body fluids, practising hygiene, and seeking medical advice.
Survival Rate
As per the reports by the World Health Organization, fatality rate of Ebola rate is 50 per cent. Sudan
and Zaire virus have fatality rate of 90 per cent.