EBOLA VIRUS
According to a CDC article on 10/03/2014, Ebola was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, outbreaks have appeared in Africa and even reached other continents such as Europe and America. Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. The virus can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates such as monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees. In this paper, I will first describe the different types of Ebola viruses and their distinct features. Then, identify signs and symptoms of the disease; how the virus causes disease and finally describe how it is transmitted.
There are five …show more content…
But, scientists believe that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal, such as a bat or primate (apes and monkeys), which is called a spillover event (“Transmission”, 12/01/1014). Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids, such as urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit , breast milk, and semen, of infected persons (or animals).Infection can also spread through objects like needles and syringes or clothing and bedding that have been contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin or through the eyes, nose, or mouth of an unprotected person (“Transmission”, 12/01/1014). Unlike influenza or SARS, Ebola virus is not spread through the air. It is not spread by water or through mosquitoes or other insects. The virus can only be spread from person to person only when the infected person is displaying symptoms. A newly infected person doesn’t produce high levels of the virus so the risk of transmission is low at the beginning of the infection, but as the disease progresses and the amount of virus in the body increases, the person becomes more contagious (“Ebola Virus”,
According to a CDC article on 10/03/2014, Ebola was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, outbreaks have appeared in Africa and even reached other continents such as Europe and America. Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. The virus can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates such as monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees. In this paper, I will first describe the different types of Ebola viruses and their distinct features. Then, identify signs and symptoms of the disease; how the virus causes disease and finally describe how it is transmitted.
There are five …show more content…
But, scientists believe that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal, such as a bat or primate (apes and monkeys), which is called a spillover event (“Transmission”, 12/01/1014). Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids, such as urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit , breast milk, and semen, of infected persons (or animals).Infection can also spread through objects like needles and syringes or clothing and bedding that have been contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin or through the eyes, nose, or mouth of an unprotected person (“Transmission”, 12/01/1014). Unlike influenza or SARS, Ebola virus is not spread through the air. It is not spread by water or through mosquitoes or other insects. The virus can only be spread from person to person only when the infected person is displaying symptoms. A newly infected person doesn’t produce high levels of the virus so the risk of transmission is low at the beginning of the infection, but as the disease progresses and the amount of virus in the body increases, the person becomes more contagious (“Ebola Virus”,