What is Ebola Virus?
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a viral disease caused by Ebola virus that result in nonspecific symptoms early from the disease and often will causes internal and external hemorrhage (bleeding) because the disease progresses. Ebola hemorrhagic fever is considered probably the most lethal viral infections; the mortality rate (death rate) can be quite high during outbreaks (reports of outbreaks cover anything from about 50% to 100% of humans infected, depending on the Ebola strain).
The Ebola virus has been discovered in 1976 and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 2, 265 reported cases of Ebola fever in humans around the world since 1976. Of these, 1, 531 resulted within death (CDC, 2012).
Types of Ebola virus
There are usually five subtypes of Ebola Virus:
- Ebola-Zaire
- Ebola-Sudan
- Ebola-Ivory Shore
- Ebola-Bundibugyo
- Ebola-Reston
All of those subtypes are found within Africa, except for Ebola-Reston, which is situated in the Philippines. The Ebola-Reston virus is usually the only subtype that won’t cause illness in humans—it simply affects animals.
Ebola Virus Dressing
Symptoms of Ebola
Symptoms show up 2 to 21 days after infection and usually include:
- High fever.
- Headache.
- Joint and muscle aches.
- Sore throat.
- Weakness.
- Stomach pain.
- Lack of appetite.
Prevention of Ebola
Prevention focuses on avoiding contact with the viruses. The following precautions can help prevent infection and spread of Ebola and Marburg.
Avoid areas of known outbreaks. Before traveling to Africa, find out about current epidemics by checking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Wash your hands usually. As with other infectious ailments, one of the most critical preventive measures is recurrent hand-washing. Use soap and also water, or use alcohol-based hand rubs containing at the least 60 percent alcohol while soap and water aren’t available.
Avoid bush animal meat. In developing countries, avoid buying or eating wildlife, including nonhuman primates, offered in local markets.
Avoid exposure to infected people. In particular, caregivers should avoid exposure to the person’s body essential liquids and tissues, including our blood, semen, vaginal secretions and also saliva. People with Ebola or maybe Marburg are most contagious inside the later stages of the illness.
Follow infection-control procedures. Should you be a health care member of staff, wear protective clothing, for instance gloves, masks, gowns and also eye shields. Keep attacked people isolated from other folks. Dispose of needles and also sterilize other instruments.
Don’t handle remains. The bodies of individuals who have died of Ebola or Marburg disease are still contagious. Specially organized and also trained teams should bury the remains, using ideal safety equipment.