Ebola virus is an acute viral infection caused by a highly contagious virus.

 It was first identified during an outbreak in 1976 in two locations: Nzara in South Sudan and Yambuku in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The disease was named after the Ebola River near Yambuku where the outbreak occurred.

Ebola virus belongs to the family Filoviridae, which also includes Marburg virus and Cuevavirus. There are five species of the Ebola virus: Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV), Reston virus (RESTV), Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV), and Taï Forest virus (TAFV).

The disease is transmitted to humans through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected animals. Evidence suggests that infection occurs from handling infected animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, and forest antelope, some of which may be sick or dead in the rainforest.

Once the disease has been introduced into the human population, it can spread rapidly through human-to-human transmission. Infection occurs from direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected people, as well as through indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids. Funeral ceremonies where mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased can also play a role in the transmission of the disease.

Infected men can continue to transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery. The disease is highly lethal, with a case fatality rate ranging from 50% to 90%. There is no specific treatment or vaccine available for Ebola virus disease, and management is primarily supportive, including fluid and electrolyte replacement, maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure, and treating concurrent infections or complications.

Symptoms and Signs of the Disease

Ebola is a severe and sudden illness caused by a virus. It usually presents with acute fever, extreme fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat followed by vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, and impaired liver and kidney function. In some cases, both internal and external bleeding may occur. Laboratory tests show low levels of white and red blood cells, as well as high levels of liver enzymes.

Transmission Prevention

For tourists or travelers visiting countries with an outbreak of Ebola, the risk of infection is relatively low. However, basic precautions should be taken to prevent infection. These include avoiding contact with symptomatic patients and/or their bodily fluids, avoiding contact with corpses and/or their bodily fluids, avoiding close contact with wild animals (including monkeys, antelopes, mice, and bats) whether dead or alive, or consuming their meat, washing or peeling fruits and vegetables before consumption, practicing safe sex, and regularly washing hands.

Vaccine and Treatment

Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for Ebola. However, research is ongoing. Patients with severe symptoms require intensive supportive care, including fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy, to manage dehydration. Regular updates from the Ministry of Public Health should be monitored to keep up-to-date on the situation and accurate information.

Important Information to Know

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a severe and often fatal disease caused by the Ebola virus. It used to be called Ebola hemorrhagic fever. The disease is primarily found in remote villages in Central and West Africa, in areas with heavy rainfalls and dense forests. The virus is transmitted to humans from wild animals, and then spreads from person to person. Patients with severe symptoms of the disease require intensive care. The mortality rate can be as high as 90 percent.

For Travelers

What to Do:

1. Avoid traveling to countries with outbreaks. As of now, there are four countries with outbreaks: Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the city of Lagos in Nigeria (as per the Ministry of Public Health announcement).
2. Follow official news and information from the Ministry of Public Health.

If you must travel to countries with outbreaks, take the following precautions:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Avoid close contact with patients or touching their clothes.
• If you have symptoms such as high fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and a red rash all over the body, seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of your travel history.

What Not to Do:

• Do not eat any kind of wild animal meat.
• Do not touch any kind of wild animal, especially primates or bats.
• Do not touch your nose or eyes with unwashed hands.
• Do not have sexual contact with anyone who is not your regular partner.
• Do not self-medicate if you have a fever.

With best wishes from Vibhavadi Hospital.