Ebola disease is a group of viruses, known as orthoebolaviruses, that cause serious illnesses and, without treatment, can lead to death. The disease was discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1976, and is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. There are multiple different types of the virus including:
Ebola virus
Sudan virus
Tai Forest virus
Bundibugyo virus
There are also some types don't cause illness in people such as:
Reston virus causes illness in nonhuman primates and pigs
Bombali virus was identified in bats, but scientists are not sure if it causes illness in animals or people
People with Ebola disease may experience “dry” symptoms early in the course of illness, which may include fever, muscle aches, joint pain, and fatigue. As the person becomes sicker, the illness progresses to “wet” symptoms that may include diarrhea, vomiting, and unexplained internal or external bleeding. Other possible symptoms include headaches, vision problems, weight gain, trouble sleeping, memory loss, hearing loss, depression, and anxiety. Someone without Ebola disease may start getting sick 2-21 days after contact with an orthoebolavirus. On average, symptoms begin 8-10 days after exposure.
Healthcare providers and family members caring for someone with Ebola disease without proper infection control methods have the highest risk of infections. The viruses that cause Ebola pose little risk to travelers or the general public. The disease can be spread easily through contact with bodily fluids of an infected sick or dead person. In very rare cases, people can get the disease from contact with an infected animal, like a bat or primate.
People can protect themselves from getting infected by the Ebola disease by washing their hands and avoiding contact with blood, body fluids, clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment that may have touched an infected person. Blood, fluids, and raw meat from bats, forest antelopes, and primates should also be avoided to protect yourself from the disease.
Diagnosis of the Ebola virus can be difficult to clinically distinguish from other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever and meningitis. Many symptoms of pregnancy and Ebola disease are also quite similar. Healthcare providers use polymerase chain reactions testing to diagnose Ebola disease. Doctors can also test for orthoebolavirus antibodies to diagnose Ebola.
Scientists are still in the process of researching and creating effective vaccines, but currently there is a vaccine for the Zaire type of Ebola, which is mostly found in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are only two FDA-approved treatments currently available to treat an Ebola virus. Apart from medical treatments, having a supportive care system increases a patient's chance of survival dramatically. Providing them fluids and electrolytes by mouth or into their veins and medicine to support blood pressure, reduce vomiting and diarrhea, and to manage fever and pain are all things people can do to help increase the survival chances of someone with Ebola. Treatment for other infections, if they occur, are also very critical to survival.
About the Author
Laney is a sophomore at Northwood High School and is a member of their track and field team, mix up club, and unified club. She loves working with kids, being outside, and hanging out with friends and family.
CDC. “Ebola Disease Basics.” Ebola, 17 May 2024, www.cdc.gov/ebola/about/index.html.
PAHO. “Ebola Virus Disease - PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization.” Www.paho.org, www.paho.org/en/topics/ebola-virus- disease#:~:text=Ebola%20virus%20disease%20(EVD)%2C.
World Health Organization. “Ebola Virus Disease.” Who.int, World Health Organization: WHO, 20 Apr. 2023, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease.
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