1976 Zaire Ebola virus outbreak
1976 Zaire Ebola Virus Outbreak
The 1976 Zaire Ebola Virus Outbreak (pronunciation: /iːˈboʊlə/ ee-BOH-lə) was the first recorded outbreak of the Ebola virus in human history. The outbreak occurred in Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, and resulted in 280 deaths out of 318 reported cases, marking a case fatality rate of 88%.
Etymology
The term "Ebola" is derived from the Ebola River, which is near the village of Yambuku, where the first outbreak occurred. The year "1976" refers to the year the outbreak took place.
Outbreak
The outbreak began in the village of Yambuku, located in the Mongala District of Zaire. The first case was reported on September 1, 1976, and the disease quickly spread through the village, primarily affecting those who had attended funerals of the initial victims. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the outbreak on November 5, 1976.
Symptoms and Transmission
The Ebola virus causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever in humans. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
Response and Impact
The outbreak led to a significant increase in research on the Ebola virus and hemorrhagic fevers. It also highlighted the need for improved infection control measures in healthcare settings, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on 1976 Zaire Ebola virus outbreak
- Wikipedia's article - 1976 Zaire Ebola virus outbreak
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