Aim:
By this website, I aim to inform people about Ebola virus, which is a member of the Filoviridae viral family of RNA viruses, which
are characterized by the long, thin filaments seen in micrograph images. Ebola virus is a large concern of public and global health because very
few humans have been found that are immune to the disease and it has a high mortality rate.
Ebola virus was first described in
1976. Today, the virus is the single member of the species
Zaire ebolavirus.
The name comes from the Ebola River where the first recorded Ebola virus
disease outbreak occurred. Ebola virus
causes severe disease
in humans in the form of
viral hemorrhagic fever. The viral
hemorrhagic fevers are
characterized by fever and bleeding disorders and all can progress to high
fever, shock and death in many cases.
Classification:
Ebola virus can be transmitted from
animals to humans. It may also be transmitted from person to person by direct
contact with body fluids, such as blood, vomit or saliva. Ebola virus can also be transmitted by
contact with the body of an Ebola victim.
Symptoms:
Fever, sore throat, weakness, severe headache, joint and muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, cough, stomach pain. A rash, red eyes, hiccups, and internal and external bleeding may be seen in some patients. Some victims may begin to bleed through the eyes, nose, or mouth. In pregnant women, miscarriage and heavy vaginal bleeding are common Ebola symptoms. Death usually occurs during the second week of Ebola symptoms. Death in Ebola victims is usually from massive blood loss.
There is not a specific therapy for Ebola virus
disease. Treatment aims to minimize dehydration, control blood
clots in the veins, to control blood escape from the circulatory system, m aintain
oxygen levels, pain
management, and administration of antibiotics treat
secondary infections. This is done by using breathing devices to maintain oxygen levels and drugs to control fever. Also maintaining blood pressure and preventing infections through use of antibiotics are attemts to heal the patient, but these are usually not very useful.
The victim’s bodies should be disposed by cremation or buried in soil to avoid the virus from spreading. Medical staff should use long sleeves, rubber gloves, mask, apron, and goggles while they take care of a victim. Sexual contact with an infected person should be avoided. Close contact with himpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, pigs and porcupines may also be dangerous. There are no vaccines to prevent Ebola virus disease.
