Transcript Ebola Disease - 10Science2-2010

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever
Ebola Virus
By Erin Shearman
The Ebola Virus
• The scientific name for this disease is the Ebola Hemorrhagic Virus
and it was named after the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of
Congo in Africa, because it was the first place it was recognized. It has
been seen in both human and primates and is highly fatal in both. In
extreme cases internal and external bleeding occurs (hence the name,
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever) and there are three sub-types named after
the places they were found, Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, Ebola- Ivory
Coast and Ebola-Reston. Ebola-Reston has caused disease only in
primates, not humans. The Ebola virus belongs to the Filoviridae
family and is one of the two RNA viruses, the other being
Marbugvirus. Both of these viruses cause strange blood coagulation
which is often followed by death.
Cause Of Disease
• The cause of this disease is coming into contact with an infected
animal host. This natural host has not been found by scientists trying
to control the disease in Africa, but it has been said that common
animal hosts are usually ticks, fleas and rats.
Transmission
• The Ebolavirus is transmitted by either direct contact of an infected
person, such as touching a dead person with the disease, or contact
with bodily secretions or blood of an infected person. Touching these
fluids usually happens when a family member or friend of the infected
person is caring for them, infecting themselves in the process and
because of the highly infectious nature of the virus, easily passes it on.
Symptoms
• The symptoms of this virus starts after the average incubation period
of 4-6 days. These symptoms include fever, sore throat, weakness,
severe headaches, muscle and joint aching, diarrhea, vomiting,
dehydration, a dry, hacking cough, stomach pain and internal, external
bleeding is seen in extreme cases. In pregnant women miscarriage and
heavy vaginal bleeding are also common symptoms. The victims
usually suffer massive blood loss and die within two weeks of the
symptoms occurring.
Treatment
• There is no known treatment as an immunization for Ebolavirus but
there is supportive therapy available for victims. This supportive
therapy includes; treating infections, balancing fluids and electrolytes
in the body and maintaining oxygen and blood pressure.
Immunization
• There is no known immunization for this virus.
Recovery
• Sadly 90% of the victims of Ebola Virus do not survive. As an
example, in an outbreak in Sudan and Zaire in 1976, there were more
than 550 cases and 340 deaths reported.
Is it Common?
• The disease has only broken out in parts of Africa and is native to there
(hence the name Ebola, after the Ebola River in the Congo) but there
has been no outbreaks in Australia. There was a scare when scientists
found what might be the Ebola Virus but they found that it was a false
alarm.
Interesting Facts
• The virus is so infectious people studying and doctors tending to
patients of the virus have to wear full body gear including goggles, full
body suits and gloves that are changed regularly. Even after the death
of a patient it is necessary to not touch the patient just as much as if
they were alive.
• After death of the victims of the Ebola Virus in Africa they are to be
buried quickly with little ceremony and in a very untraditional way,
which is even more upsetting to the natives.
Bibliography
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http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6518
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/intro/bio_ebola-att.htm
http://ebola.emedtv.com/ebola/causes-of-ebola.html
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/Fact_Shee
ts/Ebola_Fact_Booklet.pd