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5 things you should know about Ebola virus
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The largest documented outbreak of Ebola virus is currently underway in West Africa, spreading from Guinea to Liberia and Sierra Leone. To date, there have been a total of 1,093 cases and 660 deaths, according to WHO.
Based on the latest clinical data and breaking news, here is what you need to know about the disease.
History
Ebola hemorrhagic fever was first recognized in 1976 in the Sudan and what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, numerous outbreaks have been reported in central Africa, primarily in remote villages. The latest outbreak was the first to occur so far west in the continent. Until recently, the largest outbreak took place in Uganda from 2000 to 2001 and involved 425 people and 224 (53%) deaths, according to the CDC.
Ebolavirus species
Ebola virus disease is caused by a family of filoviruses. There are five district species, four of which cause disease in humans: Bundibugyo ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus, Taï Forest ebolavirus and Zaire ebolavirus. Reston ebolavirus affects nonhuman primates, but not humans.
The Zaire ebolavirus subspecies is known to cause the most severe disease, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. It has been attributed to the current outbreak in West Africa.
Source of transmission
Although the reservoir of the disease is unknown, experts believe Ebola virus is zoonotic and likely transmitted through bats. In human-to-human transmission, the disease is spread through contact with the body fluids of infected people or exposure to objects contaminated with infected secretions.
Symptoms
The incubation period for Ebola virus is approximately 2 to 21 days. Symptoms include headache, fever, weakness, sore throat, myalgias, arthralgias, vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes, maculopapular rash can occur. In severe cases, patients have experienced coagulopathy and bleeding from multiple sites.
Treatment
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for Ebola. The CDC recommends supportive therapy for patients. According to experts, early recognition of the disease is critical, and patients must be appropriately isolated and treated with protective gear by health care providers.
-Article updated on 7/24/14
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