An acute and serious viral illness which is often fatal if left untreated. first appeared in 1976. It occured first in Africa in 2 countries South Sudan and other Democratic Republic of Congo in a village near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name.
The virus family Filoviridae includes three genera. Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus
Ebola can’t be transmitted through the air or by touch alone.The virus may be transmitted through.
blood
diarrhea
breast milk
feces
saliva
semen
sweat
urine
vomit
Transmission can occur via the eyes, nose, mouth, wounded skin, or sexual contact. Health care workers are more at risk for contracting Ebola because they often deal with blood and bodily fluids.
What Are the Symptoms of Ebola?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) symptoms may take 8-10 days to appear after exposure or even 3 weeks
Symptoms include
diarrhea
fever
headache
muscle pain
stomach pain
unexplained bleeding or bruising
vomiting
How Is Ebola Diagnosed?
Blood tests can identify antibodies of the Ebola virus. test primarily done are
No proven treatment available for EVD.Supportive care-rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids- and treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival.No licensed vaccines are available yet, but 2 potential vaccines are undergoing human safety testing.