Ebola, also formerly called Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a disease with high lethality which stands out for causing bleeding in various parts of the body. O virus Ebola has the ability to infect both humans and other primates, such as monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees. The disease is transmitted through contact with fluids, tissues and secretions eliminated by the patient. Handling animals and contact with contaminated objects can also cause disease transmission. So far there are no records of cases of the disease in Brazil.
What is Ebola?
Ebola, Ebola hemorrhagic fever or Ebola virus disease is a viral disease severe that has a lethality around 90%. It is a highly contagious hemorrhagic disease.
Read too: Brazilian hemorrhagic fever - serious and rare disease
Ebola causative agent
Ebola is a disease caused by a family virus Filoviridae, called Ebola virus. This virus was first identified in 1976, in two simultaneous outbreaks that occurred in two regions of the Africa: Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus was named after the outbreaks occurred near the Ebola River. The origin of the virus is unknown, but it is believed that the
likely hosts of the virus are fruit bats (that feed on fruits).
are currently known five types of Ebola virus. According to the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), the five types are:
- Zaire ebolavirus;
- Sudan ebolavirus;
- Bundibugyo ebolavirus;
- Reston ebolavirus;
- Tai Forest ebolavirus.
Among them, the Zaire ebolavirus, for having the highest lethality.
Ebola transmission
Ebola is transmitted through the direct contact with blood and other fluids and bodily secretions of the patient, such as semen, urine, saliva and feces. Transmission only occurs after the onset of symptoms. The disease can also be transmitted by the bodily fluids of infected animals. By handling, for example, raw meat from chimpanzees, antelopes and other contaminated animals, the disease can be introduced into the human population.
![Photograph of a sign in Congo, Africa, signaling that the region has cases of Ebola. [1]](/f/494cb2a683b83484010712ce64b40550.jpg)
It is noteworthy that objects and surfaces contaminated with bodily fluids can also transmit the disease, as well as the patient's bedding and clothing. Another point that deserves to be highlighted is the high viral load in the bodies of Ebola victims. Burials of these people must be carried out under strict safety measures in order to interrupt the disease transmission cycle.
In several regions of Africa, it is common for funeral ceremonies for relatives and friends to have direct contact with the body of the deceased, which can pose a serious risk of contamination.
As it is a disease with high transmission capacity, healthcare professionals involved in patient care must strictly follow all safety rules. This includes the use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks, goggles and aprons.
Read too: Great Epidemics of History
Ebola symptoms
Symptoms of the disease begin between 2 to 21 days after infection. The symptoms of Ebola are:
- fever;
- headache;
- muscle pain;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- intense tiredness;
- conjunctivitis;
- skin rashes;
- liver dysfunctions;
- renal insufficiency.
Bleeding is a hallmark symptom of Ebola, and they can be internal or external. The patient may experience bleeding in the mucous membranes, intestine and uterus, for example. Vomiting, urine, and feces may also have blood. The disease causes multiple failure of organs.
Ebola diagnosis
Ebola is a disease that initially has non-specific symptoms, such as fever and body aches. These symptoms can make diagnosis difficult as they are seen in many viral diseases. In case of suspicion, the patient should be isolated and laboratory tests performed. According to the Ministry of Health, the exam for the confirmatory diagnosis of Ebola is the PCR. Two collections of material are performed, the second being made 48 hours after the first.
Ebola treatment
Ebola is a disease that does not have specific treatment, which makes it a serious public health problem. Treatment is aimed at ensuring the proper functioning of the patient's body and relieving symptoms. As patients are usually dehydrated, one of the measures taken is the administration of intravenous fluids or oral rehydration with solutions that contain electrolytes. Maintenance of oxygen levels and blood pressure is also carried out, as well as the treatment of other infections that may affect the patient. Due to the high transmission rate, patients with Ebola are treated alone, without having contact with other patients. Once cured, the person becomes immune to the Ebola virus.
Ebola Virus Vaccine
THE first vaccine against Ebola virus was approved in 2019. According to the humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières, the vaccine was used between 2018 and 2020 in response to three separate Ebola epidemics in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the largest in the country's history. Also according to this organization, clinical data have proven the vaccine's effectiveness in protecting people at risk and reducing transmission of the virus.
Image credit
[1] Sergey Uryadnikov / Shutterstock.com
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher