Ebola

Overview

Ebola is a severe, often fatal disease caused by viruses found in Africa. It is primarily spread through contact with infected body fluids. Early symptoms resemble the flu, but it can lead to severe complications like bleeding, organ failure, and death. Animals such as bats, primates, and antelopes are the hosts of the virus. Although there is no cure, treatments like rehydration and medications help manage it. Preventive measures include avoiding contact with infected people and animals.

What is Ebola?

Ebola is a severe hemorrhagic fever caused by a group of Ebola viruses (especially Zaire ebolavirus). The symptoms start as the flu and lead to complications such as vomiting, bloodshot eyes and neurological eyes. It spreads to humans from bats, antelopes and non-human primates that carry the virus. These outbreaks are mostly common in Africa.

Types of Ebola

The 4 main variants of Ebola viruses that can cause infection in humans are listed below:

Zaire ebolavirus

Found mostly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea, it causes a lethal and severe viral haemorrhagic fever in humans and primates. These are the causative agents of the Ebola disease and are considered the most dangerous variant to cause fatal disease in humans.

Sudan ebolavirus

The first outbreak of this virus was reported in Uganda and Sudan. It causes haemorrhagic fever in humans, monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas. It transmits to humans through infected fruit bats (the original hosts of the disease).

Taï Forest ebolavirus

Discovered in Taï National Forest, Ivory Coast, in chimpanzees in 1994, this virus is closely related to the Zaire Ebolavirus. It causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans (who have come in contact with an infected animal) and primates.

Bundibugyo ebolavirus

Identified in Bundibugyo district in Western Uganda in 2007, this virus is distinct from the other Ebolavirus species. It causes a milder form of hemorrhagic fever in humans with a lower fatality rate compared to Zaire and Sudan. Transmission occurs through contact with infected bodily fluids or secretions.

Symptoms of Ebola

Early symptoms include chills, fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain and weakness. Conditions may deteriorate and show symptoms such as confusion, troubled breathing, chest pain, vomiting or diarrhoea (covered in blood), appetite loss, muscle pain, rash or blood spots under one's skin, bleeding or bruising, and bloodshot or red eyes. The later stages of the disease may include severe complications such as inflammation of the brain, seizures, lack of blood flow in the body, organ failure and death.

Causes of Ebola

A group of Ebola viruses causes this infectious disease. It primarily starts in bats, nonhuman primates and antelopes in West, Central and East Africa. Ebola becomes infectious when one comes in contact with the bodily fluids of a person or animal that is likely to show symptoms.

Touching objects that are contaminated with the virus may also transmit the disease. Individuals who have been to a place where people are diagnosed with the infection, have shown symptoms of Ebola or have been exposed to infected animals are at high risk.

Touching the clothes, towels and other personal objects of an infected person also raises the risk. One must strictly avoid touching blood or saliva, breast milk, semen or sweat of an infected individual to avoid transmission of the virus.

Diagnosis of Ebola

A blood test helps to diagnose the infection. However, it can become challenging to diagnose since the symptoms match with other illnesses, including typhoid fever, malaria and yellow fever. One must declare if they have recently travelled or come in contact with people or animals living in an infected area. Other diagnosis methods include sputum culture, oral swab, stool culture and swab tests.

Treatment for Ebola

Current available FDA-approved treatments include Inmazeb and Ebanga. Supportive care with symptomatic treatment and rehydration (fluids and electrolytes through the mouth or injected into the veins) may also be given to an individual to improve their survival rates. A doctor may also prescribe medicines to reduce diarrhoea and vomiting, support blood pressure, and manage pain and fever. Supplemental oxygen, vasopressor drugs and dialysis are other treatment plans.

Prevention of Ebola

One may take safety precautions while travelling to or residing in regions where Ebola virus outbreaks are common. The measures include avoiding contact with body fluids (blood, urine, saliva, faeces, sweat, breast milk, vomit and semen) from people or animals that show symptoms of the infection; wearing protective equipment if one has come in contact with infected people; and monitoring one's health for 21 days upon returning from an infected area.

One must also avoid eating or touching bushmeat (wild animal meat). An individual must also use a condom while having sex to protect their partner from infection, as the virus may live in semen for a long time after recovery.

Myths and Facts Related to Ebola

The myths and facts related to Ebola are outlined below:

Myth 1: Ebola is airborne

Fact: Ebola does not spread through the air like a cold or flu, but it spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

Myth 2: One can get Ebola by touching a healthy-looking person

Fact: Ebola is infectious only when a person shows symptoms such as sweat, vomiting, blood, saliva, fever or diarrhoea.

Myth 3: Mosquitoes spread Ebola infection

Fact: Mosquitoes do not spread the infection but it can spread by coming in contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal.