The Ebola Virus also known as Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), is a virus that spreads through contaminated blood, urine or mucus. This virus is said to be one of the most lethal viruses but is also very rare. This virus can be spread among humans and other mammals (wild animals) causing internal and external bleeding.
| If you would like to donate towards the Ebola Crisis you can visit http://www.cidi.org/ebola-ngos/#.VD0TBRaHjSu for a list of NGO’s involved in response work in areas affected. The more obvious NGO’s on the list are the Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross. |
This lethal virus is caused by the RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus that infects humans and wild animals such as gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, chimpanzees. The first outbreak of the Ebola virus began at the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Ebola River in 1976. According to World Health Organization data (WHO), it was later spread to Sudan, Uganda and other African Nations.
Early Symptoms
Signs of the Ebola virus begins with symptoms similar to the Flu virus, such as:
- Headaches
- Fevers
- Coughs
- Stomach pains
- Body aches
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
These symptoms could be symptoms of other viruses as well which makes it difficult to diagnose Ebola at such an early stage. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), development of early symptoms begins 8-9 days after the virus have been contaminated.
Late Symptoms
As the disease gets worse, it attacks the body’s immune system and organs, include internal and external bleeding, bleeding from the ears, nose and ears, eyes become red, blood is vomited and cardiovascular collapse occurs and eventually it causes death.
- Diagnoses and Treatment
As you may already know there is no cure for the Ebola virus, but researchers are currently working on it. The only way to diagnose the disease is through testing of blood and tissue cells. If you are diagnosed with the Ebola Virus you will be isolated from the public to prevent the spread. Doctors will then treat the virus with fluids and electrolytes, blood transfusion and maintain the blood pressure.
- Countries of Outbreak
The 2014 Ebola epidemic outbreak is said to be the largest in history. The Ebola outbreak is the most intense and widespread in the West Africa. There have been 7 470 reported cases of Ebola on the 1st October 2014 in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, according to WHO. There was an additional 21 cases reported in Nigeria and Senegal. The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 70 cases. There was a single case reported in the USA, which was a person travelling from West Africa to Dallas and he died of the disease.
With the outbreak of the Ebola virus still continuing in many countries and people losing their lives, it is important you stay cautious. If you have been travelling, and are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s best you get yourself tested at your Doctor.
