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Ebola

Ebola

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a rare but highly severe infectious disease caused by the Ebola virus. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Ebola outbreaks in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), highlighting the serious global health risk posed by the disease.

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

Ebola Virus Disease is a rare but highly severe infectious disease that affects humans and non-human primates.

Recently, the World Health Organization declared Ebola outbreaks in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

About Ebola Virus

Definition

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD):

  • Is a viral hemorrhagic fever

  • Causes severe illness and high mortality in humans

Discovery

  • First identified in 1976

  • Near the Ebola River in present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo

Hence the name:

  • Ebola virus

Nature of Disease

Ebola is:

  • Highly infectious

  • Often fatal if untreated

Case fatality rates in past outbreaks:

  • Approximately 25% to 90%

depending on:

  • Virus strain

  • Healthcare access

  • Speed of response

Causative Agent

Caused by:

  • Ebola virus

Belongs to:

  • Filoviridae family

Zoonotic Disease

Meaning

A zoonotic disease:

  • Spreads from animals to humans

Natural Reservoir

Fruit bats are considered:

  • The most likely natural hosts

Animals Involved in Transmission

  • Fruit bats

  • Porcupines

  • Chimpanzees

  • Gorillas

  • Monkeys

  • Forest antelopes

“Ebola demonstrates how animal-human interactions can trigger global health emergencies.”

Modes of Transmission

Animal to Human Transmission

Occurs through:

  • Contact with infected wild animals

  • Blood or body fluids of infected animals

Human to Human Transmission

Spreads through direct contact with:

  • Blood

  • Saliva

  • Sweat

  • Vomit

  • Urine

  • Breast milk

  • Semen

  • Other bodily fluids

of infected persons.

Indirect Transmission

Can also spread through:

  • Contaminated needles

  • Medical equipment

  • Infected surfaces

Ebola Does NOT Spread Through

  • Air like influenza

  • Casual contact

  • Mosquito bites

Symptoms of Ebola

Early Symptoms

  • Fever

  • Severe headache

  • Muscle pain

  • Weakness

  • Sore throat

Advanced Symptoms

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Skin rash

  • Internal bleeding

  • External bleeding

Severe Complications

  • Organ failure

  • Shock

  • Multi-organ dysfunction

Incubation Period

Usually:

  • 2 to 21 days

An infected person:

  • Cannot spread disease until symptoms appear

Diagnosis

Methods include:

  • PCR tests

  • Blood testing

  • Antigen detection

Treatment

There is:

  • No universally approved cure

But supportive care greatly improves survival.

Supportive Treatment Includes

  • Rehydration

  • Oxygen support

  • Maintaining blood pressure

  • Treating secondary infections

Vaccines

Vaccines have been developed against some Ebola strains.

Example:

  • rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine

used especially during outbreaks.

Prevention Measures

1. Isolation of Patients

  • Prevents human-to-human spread

2. Protective Equipment

Healthcare workers use:

  • PPE kits

  • Gloves

  • Face shields

3. Safe Burial Practices

Traditional burial practices may increase transmission risk.

4. Surveillance and Contact Tracing

Monitoring exposed individuals helps:

  • Break transmission chains

5. Public Awareness

Community education is critical during outbreaks.

Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Meaning

A PHEIC is:

  • Highest level of global health alert under International Health Regulations (IHR)

Declared by:

  • World Health Organization

Why Ebola is Dangerous

1. High Fatality Rate

Can cause:

  • Large-scale deaths

2. Weak Healthcare Systems

Outbreaks often occur in:

  • Fragile healthcare regions

3. Rapid Spread Through Contact

Close caregiving increases:

  • Infection risk

4. Economic and Social Disruption

Outbreaks affect:

  • Trade

  • Tourism

  • Education

  • Livelihoods

Major Ebola Outbreaks

West Africa Outbreak (2014–16)

Affected:

  • Guinea

  • Liberia

  • Sierra Leone

Largest Ebola outbreak in history.

Recent Concern Areas

  • Uganda

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo

Global Significance

Ebola highlights:

  • Importance of disease surveillance

  • Need for strong healthcare systems

  • Global cooperation in public health

Role of WHO

World Health Organization supports:

  • Emergency response

  • Vaccine deployment

  • Technical assistance

  • International coordination

Conclusion

Ebola Virus Disease remains one of the world’s most dangerous infectious diseases due to its high fatality rate and outbreak potential. Strengthening surveillance, healthcare infrastructure, vaccination, and international cooperation is essential to prevent future global health emergencies.