What is EBOLA VIRUS?

The Ebola virus causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever, a disease that is usually acquired when a person comes into contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected animal such as monkey or fruit bat.

How will the virus spread?

When infection of human occurs, it can easily spread from one person to another.  Infection may result from direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people and through indirect contact with the environments contaminated with such fluids.  Spreading of the disease can also be from having contact with the bodies of people who died from the virus like during funeral preparations and burial ceremonies.  Ebola virus is unlikely to spread in a crowded place or area because it requires direct contact with bodily secretions or fluids.

What are the symptoms of Ebola virus?

Symptoms of Ebola include sudden onset of fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, intense weakness, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, stomach pain and in some cases bleeding.  The incubatin period of the virus, from infection to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days.

What are ways to prevent the spreading of the virus?

Prevention can start by decreasing the spread from infected animals to human which can be done by checking for infecton, and killing them and properly disposing of the bodies if disease is discovered.  Animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.  Places with suspected outbreak should be quarantined.  Routine cleaning and disinfection of animal farms can be effective in inactivating the virus.  When taking care of ill patients, wear protective gloves, mask and clothing.  

What is the treatment for Ebola Virus Disease?

There is no specific treatment yet for the virus.  No licensed vaccine is available, though several vaccines are being tested.  

The ill patients require intensive supportive care. They are frequently hydrated and require oral rehydration with fluids containing electrolytes and intravenous fluids.

Other facts about Ebola Virus:

Although this virus is fatal for as much as 90 percent, those who maanged to recover should exercise extreme caution for two months because they may still be infectious.  And men who recovered from the virus can still transmit the disease through their semen for up to 7 weeks.