FREE ESSAY ON THE EBOLA VIRUS

THE EBOLA VIRUS

The Ebola Virus
The Ebola virus (family Filoviridae) responsible for a severe and often fatal
haemorrhagic fever; outbreaks in primates as well as in humans have been recorded. The
disease is characterised by extreme fever, rash, and profuse haemorrhaging. Fatality
rates range from 50 to 90 percent. 
(1) Ebola was regarded as an epidemic in 1976 when it was discovered along the Ebola
River in Zaire. The outbreaks moved throughout Zaire and The Sudan. In 1995 there was
another epidemic in Zaire which resulted in hundreds of deaths as did the earlier
epidemics.
(2) People who contracted the Ebola virus will notice symptoms 4 - 16 days after they
contract the virus. An infected person will suddenly be hit by severe headaches, muscle
aches and loss of appetite. Within a few days the virus causes a condition know as
'disseminated intravascular coagulation'. This condition is marked by both blood clots
and haemorrhaging. In the case of Ebola fever, clots are concentrated in the liver,
spleen, brain, and other internal organs, forcing capillaries to bleed into surrounding
tissue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea with blood and mucus, conjunctivitis, and sore
throat soon follow. A maculopapular rash (discoloured elevations of the skin) appears on
the trunk and quickly spreads to the limbs and head. The patient is then beset by
spontaneous bleeding from body orifices and any breaks in the skin, such as injection
sites, and within the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and internal organs. Death is usually
brought on by haemorrhaging, shock, or renal failure and occurs within 8 to 17 days. 
(3) Like most viruses, Ebola is usually carried by animals, especially rodents. Ebola can
be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, body fluids, and possibly
urine and respiratory secretions. The virus has also been detected in the organs of
patients after recovery from the fever. Unsanitary conditions and lack of adequate
medical supplies have been a factor in the spread of the disease. 
(4) As of yet there is no known cure or treatment for the Ebola Virus. Current therapy
consists of maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance and administration of blood and
plasma to control bleeding. The spread of the virus can be contained by barrier nursing,
handling of infected blood and tissue in isolated laboratory units, and proper
decontamination of reusable equipment. 
(5) There were no statistics available on the Ebola Virus but for each outbreak there has
been, at least 300+ people have died each time.
(6) Ebola is usually passed through contact with infected blood and body fluid. In some
cases the virus has become airborne but has been contained.
(7) If you are not living in Zaire near the Ebola river the chances of you contracting
Ebola are so remote it isn't even worth considering. But if you did contract it while on
a holiday in Africa, the best thing would be to keep away from everyone and ring health
authorities as soon as possible.