Ebola Virus

General Description

Ebola is a deadly virus originating in parts of Africa. Ebola is named after a river in Zaire, its first site of discovery. Ebola is a filovirus that is usually fatal, and it affects monkeys, apes and humans.

Ebola is caused by an infection with the Ebola virus. There are four identified types of the Ebola virus. Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, Ebola-Ivory Coast, and Ebola-Reston. The Ebola-Reston subtype is the only disease that doesn't effect humans. These are the only known causes of Ebola. Ebola is classified as a level 4 pathogen which is higher than the AIDS virus. Ebola causes a hemorrhagic rash that spreads around to the whole body, leaving red bumps similar to chicken pox. Ebola Zaire attacks every organ and tissue in the human body except muscle and bone.

Ebola multiplies so rapidly that the body's infected cells become crystal-like blocks of packed virus particles. These crystals then hatch in the cell. Crystals first appear near the center of the cell and then migrate towards the surface and find there way to the bloodstream of the human. These crystals multiply everywhere in the body. The body starts to shut down after the crystals take over the blood stream, causing death.

Prevention

The first outbreak of Ebola was in western Sudan and part of Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1976. More than 600 people were infected, of which more than 500 died. Ebola prevention has many challenges. Because the identity and location of the of Ebola viruses are unknown, there are few established Ebola prevention measures. Which are the following... Don't travel to areas of known outbreaks, Avoid all contact with dead animals in areas where infections have occurred, Avoid physical contact with someone infected with Ebola, Health care workers should follow strict infection-control procedures, Don't handle the remains of anyone suspected of dying of Ebola.

Ebola can spread a few ways. The eating of primate meat, direct contact with an infected person, and direct contact with the blood of an infected human can all spread the Ebola virus. Following this information does not guarantee prevention but may lower the risk of getting this contagious virus.

Symptoms

Beginning symptoms of Ebola are headaches, fevers, chills, muscle