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Rare and fatal, Ebola virus disease (EVD) affects both humans and non-human primates. EVD-causing viruses are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. First-hand contact with an infected animal (such as a bat or non-human ape) or a sick or dead person with the Ebola virus can cause EVD in humans.
See the fact file below for more information on the Ebola Virus, or you can download our 28-page Ebola Virus worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORY OF EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE
- Two consecutive outbreaks of deadly hemorrhagic fever in various regions of Central Africa led to the discovery of Ebola virus disease (EVD), one of the more fatal viral diseases, in 1976.
- The Ebola River, which gave the virus its name, is located close to where the first outbreak happened in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire). The second outbreak took place about 500 miles (850 km) south in what is now South Sudan.
- Public health officials first believed that both outbreaks were a single incident linked to a sick person who traveled between the two cities.
- However, the Sudan ebolavirus and the Zaire ebolavirus were later found to be responsible for the two epidemics.
- After making this discovery, scientists concluded that the virus originated from two distinct sources and spread to humans in each impacted area individually.
- According to viral and epidemiological data, the Ebola virus may have existed long before these documented outbreaks.
- Factors including population growth, encroachment into forested areas, and direct interaction with wildlife could have contributed to the spread of the Ebola virus (such as eating bushmeat).
- The bulk of Ebola virus cases and outbreaks since its discovery in 1976 have happened in Africa.
- Beginning in a rural region of southeast Guinea, the West African Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016 soon spread to cities and across borders and within months, turned into a global pandemic.
IDENTIFYING A HOST
- Scientists researched thousands of animals, insects, and plants after the virus was discovered to identify its origin (called reservoir among virologists, people who study viruses).
- The first occurrences of an EVD outbreak in humans may be attributed to gorillas, chimpanzees, and other mammal species.
- They are, like humans, “dead-end” hosts, which means that after becoming infected, the organism perishes and does not live to infect more species.
- It is conceivable for the reservoir host animal of the Ebola virus to remain healthy despite its presence in its organs, tissues, and blood, much like with other viruses of a similar type.
- Thus, it is likely that the virus spreads from host to host via intermediary hosts or vectors to remain in the environment. African fruit bats may even be the source animal for the Ebola virus, as they are likely involved in its dissemination (reservoir host).
- Scientists are still looking for concrete proof that bats are involved in the spread of the Ebola virus. The most recent Ebola virus to be identified, the Bombali virus, was isolated from bat samples in Sierra Leone.
PATHWAYS OF TRANSMISSION
- During the initial epidemics, tainted needles and syringes allowed the Ebola virus to spread and grow. Nurses at the Yambuku mission hospital reportedly used five syringes for 300 to 600 patients per day during the initial outbreak in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC).
- Poor nursing procedures, the reuse of contaminated needles, and direct contact with infected blood during the early Ebola outbreaks were the leading causes of human-to-human transmission.
- The Reston ebolavirus was found in a study of monkeys brought into the United States from the Philippines in 1989. Later, researchers confirmed that aerosolized transmission in the facility caused the virus to spread throughout the population of monkeys.
- However, it has not been demonstrated that such airborne transmission plays a significant role in human Ebola outbreaks.
- Identifying the Reston virus in these Philippine monkeys showed that Ebola was no longer restricted to African settings but was now present in Asia.
- Researchers and public health officials had made progress in reducing transmission by the time the Cote d’Ivoire outbreak in 1994 occurred by learning more about how the Ebola virus spreads and requiring healthcare workers to wear face masks, gloves, and gowns.
- Additionally, the use of disposable tools like needles was started. The international public health community was active during the 1995 Ebola outbreak in Kikwit, Zaire, as it was acknowledged that containing and controlling the Ebola virus was essential to stop outbreaks.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- The incubation period, from virus infection to the start of symptoms, lasts between 2 to 21 days. Before symptom show, an Ebola patient cannot transmit the disease.
- The following are some early signs of EVD:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- muscle ache
- Headache
- unwell throat
- The following comes next:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Both internal and external bleeding can occasionally occur (for example, oozing from the gums or blood in the stools).
- The lab discovered elevated liver enzymes and low white blood cell and platelet counts.
DIAGNOSIS
- Identifying the Ebola virus (EVD) immediately after infection can be challenging. Early signs of EVD, such as fever, headaches, and weakness, are not unique to an Ebola virus infection and are frequently observed in patients with other, more prevalent illnesses, such as malaria and typhoid fever.
- If there are symptoms that are suggestive of EVD and possible exposure to EVD within 21 days of the onset of symptoms, EVD is a viable diagnosis.
- Any exposure can result from interaction with:
- Blood or bodily fluids from an EVD patient who is ill or has passed away, things infected with the blood or bodily fluids of an EVD patient or victim, non-human primates (apes or monkeys) and fruit bats with the disease, or sperm from a male EVD-recovery patient.
- A person should be isolated (removed from others), and the appropriate public health authorities alerted if they exhibit symptoms of EVD and have had probable exposure. Blood samples from the patient should be taken and examined to verify infection.
- Blood can be tested for the Ebola virus after symptoms appear. The virus may not be detectable for up to three days after the first signs and symptoms appear.
TREATMENT
- Survival is increased with supportive care, which includes treating specific symptoms and rehydrating patients with oral or intravenous fluidsβthe evaluation of various prospective treatments, including immunological therapies, pharmacological therapies, and blood products.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medications used in treating Ebola patients, the first-ever multi-drug randomized control trial was carried out in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 2018β2020 Ebola outbreak as part of an ethical framework developed after consultation with subject-matter experts and the DRC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two monoclonal antibodies, Inmazeb and Ebanga, in late 2020 to treat adult and pediatric Zaire ebolavirus (Ebolavirus) infection.
VACCINES
- The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommends the Ervebo vaccine as part of a more comprehensive arsenal of Ebola outbreak response options since it has been demonstrated to defend humans against Zaire ebolavirus.
- The vaccine was prequalified by WHO and authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2020 for use in people 18 years of age and older (apart from pregnant and nursing women) as a means of putting a stop to the Ebola virus sickness brought on by the Zaire Ebola virus.
- More than 350 000 people received the vaccine as part of the “compassionate use” protocol during the Ebola virus disease epidemics in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2018β2020. The vaccination has proven secure and effective against the Zaire ebolavirus species. Last January 2021, the Ervebo vaccination was stocked globally.
- The European Medicines Agency proposed in May 2020 that a 2-component vaccination called Zabdeno-and-Mvabea for people one year and older be given marketing clearance.
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
- Applying a suite of interventionsβincluding case management, surveillance, contact tracing, a top-notch laboratory service, safe burials, and societal mobilizationβis essential for effective outbreak control. For outbreaks to be successfully controlled, community involvement is necessary. Reduced human transmission can be achieved by increasing knowledge of the risk factors for Ebola infection and preventative interventions (such as immunization) that people can adopt. Messages about risk reduction should emphasize several things:
- Lowering the risk of human infection from contact with diseased fruit bats, monkeys, apes, forest antelope, or porcupines, as well as from eating their raw meat. When handling animals, gloves and other suitable protective clothes should be worn. Before eating, animal products like meat and blood should be properly prepared.
- They are minimizing the possibility of human-to-human transmission through direct or close contact with those experiencing the symptoms of Ebola, primarily through their bodily fluids. Gloves and suitable personal protective equipment should be worn when caring for sick patients.
Ebola Virus Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Ebola Virus across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Ebola Virus, a highly contagious pathogen that causes severe and often fatal illness in humans and primates.
Download includes the following worksheets
- Ebola Virus Facts
- Vocabulary
- Odd One Out
- Ebola Transmission
- Virus Brochure
- Epidemiological Triangle
- As an Epidemiologist..
- Letβs Investigate!
- What Do You Think?
- Short Essay
- Outbreak
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ebola virus?
The Ebola virus is a highly contagious virus that causes a severe and often fatal illness known as Ebola virus disease (EVD). It is a member of the Filoviridae family of viruses and is transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals or humans. Symptoms of EVD include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, organ failure and bleeding.
Where does the Ebola virus come from?
The Ebola virus is believed to originate from fruit bats, which are considered to be the natural host of the virus. The virus is thought to be transmitted to humans through contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. It can also spread from person to person through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or through objects that have been contaminated with the virus.
How is Ebola virus disease treated?
Currently, there is no specific treatment for EVD. Treatment consists of supportive care, which includes rehydration, management of symptoms, and treatment of complications as they arise. There are some experimental treatments and vaccines that have shown promise in clinical trials but they are not yet widely available.
How can Ebola virus disease be prevented?
EVD can be prevented by avoiding contact with the blood and bodily fluids of infected individuals, and by avoiding contact with animals that may be infected. Basic infection prevention and control measures, such as hand hygiene, wearing protective clothing, and safe burial practices, are also important in preventing the spread of the virus.
What is the mortality rate of Ebola virus disease?
The mortality rate of EVD varies depending on the outbreak and the population affected. In the past, the mortality rate has been as high as 90%. However, with improved understanding of the virus and better medical care, the mortality rate has decreased to around 50% in recent outbreaks. Early detection and prompt treatment can greatly increase the chances of survival.
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Use With Any Curriculum
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