The "Ebola Virus"- Olulegan Yetunde

The Ebola Virus was first discovered in 1976 with two simultaneous outbreaks, in Nzara, Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. Yambuku is a village close to the Ebola river, from which the Ebola virus takes its name.

The first outbreak of Ebola (Ebola-Sudan) infected over 284 people, with a mortality rate of 53%. A few months later, the second Ebola virus emerged from Yambuku, Zaire, Ebola-Zaire, with the highest mortality rate of any of the Ebola viruses (88%), infected 318 people.

In February 2014, the first Ebola Virus outbreak registered in the region occurred in Ginuea. According to a World Health Organization report, as of 28 March, the total number of suspected and confirmed cases in the Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever (EHF) outbreak has increased to 112, including 70 deaths at a case fatality rate of 62.5%.

Genus Ebolavirus is 1 of 3 members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus), along with genus Marburgvirus and genus Cuevavirus. Genus Ebolavirus comprises 5 distinct species:

• Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV)
• Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV)
• Reston ebolavirus (RESTV)
• Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV)
• Taï Forest ebolavirus (TAFV)

BDBV, EBOV, and SUDV have been associated with large EVD outbreaks in Africa, whereas RESTV and TAFV have not. The RESTV species, found in Philippines and the People’s Republic of China, can infect humans, but no illness or death in humans from this species has been reported to date.  [Visit WHO's website for more information]

3D Model of the Ebola virus



PREVENTION

Ebola viruses are highly infectious as well as contagious.

During an outbreak of ebola virus infection, bodily fluids from diarrhea, vomiting, and bleeding represent a hazard. Due to lack of proper equipment and hygienic practices, large-scale epidemics occur mostly in poor, isolated areas without modern hospitals or well-educated medical staff. 

To prevent the spread in such environments, all that can be done is to immediately cease all needle-sharing or use without adequate sterilization procedures, isolate patients, and observe strict barrier nursing procedures with the use of a medical-rated disposable face mask, gloves, goggles, and a gown at all times, strictly enforced for all medical personnel and visitors.

The aim of all of these techniques is to avoid any person’s contact with the blood or secretions of any patient, including those who are deceased

TREATMENT

No FDA-approved ebola virus-specific therapy for EVD exists. Treatment is primarily supportive in nature and includes minimizing invasive procedures, balancing fluids and electrolytes to counter dehydration, administration of anticoagulants early in infection to prevent or control disseminated intravascular coagulation, administration of procoagulants late in infection to control hemorrhaging, maintaining oxygen levels, pain management, and administration of antibiotics or antimycotics to treat secondary infections. [CLICK for more information on Ebola virus Treatment]