Ebola Virus

Epidemics

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is rare, but if it is contracted it can be extremely fatal if left untreated. EVD was discovered in 1976 and is still present today, the virus had spread from wild animals. It is transmitted through human-to-human direct contact with blood or bodily fluids or objects that have been contaminated by bodily fluids from a person that is sick with ebola or has died from the disease. It is believed that the virus originated from fruit bats as they are a natural host to Ebola viruses. The incubation period is between 2-21 days; a person is unable to spread the virus until they develop symptoms. Symptoms include: fever, fatigue, muscle pain, sore throat, rash, vomiting, impaired kidney/liver functions, and in some cases internal and external bleeding. There are vaccines available now to help reduce the progression and spread of EVD, other treatment include rehydration; there is no proven treatment available for EVD at this time.