Ebola
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Ebola virus disease | |
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Synonyms | N/A |
Pronounce | N/A |
Specialty | N/A |
Symptoms | Fever, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, decreased function of the liver and kidneys, bleeding |
Complications | Organ failure, septic shock, hemorrhage |
Onset | 2 to 21 days after exposure |
Duration | 7 to 14 days |
Types | N/A |
Causes | Ebola virus |
Risks | Contact with bodily fluids of infected animals or humans |
Diagnosis | Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), antibody tests |
Differential diagnosis | N/A |
Prevention | Vaccination, avoiding contact with infected individuals |
Treatment | Supportive care, rehydration, antiviral drugs |
Medication | N/A |
Prognosis | 25% to 90% mortality rate, depending on outbreak |
Frequency | Sporadic outbreaks, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa |
Deaths | N/A |
Viral disease caused by the Ebola virus
Ebola, also known as Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), is a severe and often fatal illness in humans and other primates caused by the Ebola virus. The disease was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, outbreaks have occurred sporadically in Africa.
Virology
Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. There are six known species of the Ebola virus, four of which are known to cause disease in humans: Zaire ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus, Taï Forest ebolavirus, and Bundibugyo ebolavirus. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
Transmission
Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope, and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest. Human-to-human transmission occurs via direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola.
Pathogenesis
Once the Ebola virus enters the body, it targets the immune system and several types of cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and endothelial cells. The virus disrupts the immune response and causes severe inflammation and tissue damage, leading to the characteristic symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms
The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Ebola can be difficult, as the early symptoms are not specific to the disease and are similar to those of other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, and meningitis. Laboratory tests, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), are used to confirm the presence of the virus.
Treatment
There is no proven treatment for Ebola, but a range of potential treatments including blood products, immune therapies, and drug therapies are currently being evaluated. Supportive care, such as rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids, and treatment of specific symptoms improves survival.
Prevention
Preventing Ebola involves reducing the risk of wildlife-to-human transmission, reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission, and controlling infection in healthcare settings. This includes avoiding contact with infected animals, using protective clothing, and implementing safe burial practices.
Outbreaks
Ebola outbreaks have occurred primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. The largest outbreak to date was the West African Ebola epidemic, which occurred from 2013 to 2016 and affected multiple countries, including Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Healthcare Response
Healthcare workers are at high risk of infection when caring for Ebola patients. Strict infection control measures are necessary to prevent transmission in healthcare settings. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and isolation of patients are critical components of the response.
Safe Burial Practices
Safe burial practices are essential to prevent the spread of Ebola. Traditional burial practices, which involve washing and touching the body, can lead to further transmission of the virus. Safe burial practices involve the use of PPE and minimizing contact with the body.
See also
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD