The natural and human history of a deadly virus by david quammen ebola. Centers for disease control cdc to be a highly infectious disease, yet not particularly contagious. Signs and symptoms typically start between two days and three weeks after contracting the virus with a fever, sore throat, muscular pain, and headaches. Consequently, in 2010, a group of researchers recommended that the name ebola virus be adopted for a subclassification note 1 within the species zaire ebolavirus and that similar common names be formally adopted for. Sep 01, 2015 world health organization has pronounced the impulsive episode of ebola virus disease evd in a few nations in west africa as a general wellbeing crisis. The natural and human history of a deadly virus by. Ebola is very difficult to catch, especially outside of affected areas. Ebola ebola virus disease or ebola hemorrhagic fever. Safety and health topics ebola background occupational. Contact with someone with ebola within the last 21 days and. Despite a number of recorded ebov transmission events dating back approximately four to five decades, the current outbreak is not only devastating locally and regionally but also presents a real possibility of the global spread of this highly lethal disease. They are spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of a sick person and can cause fever, headache, muscle pain.
Four of the six known ebolaviruses, including ebov, cause a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and other mammals, known as ebola virus disease evd. Ebola virus disease, first recognized in 1976 in the democratic republic of the congo, is a serious and often fatal illness in humans and nonhuman primates. There have been several ebola outbreaks, including the 20142016 unprecedented epidemic in africa. The natural and human history of a deadly virus is a very interesting behindthescenes look at the quest to find the host animal carrying this devastating virus. This product has been confirmed to be efficacious in guinea pigs, but it is not as useful in rhesus monkeys or the mouse model of ebola virus infection 86, 87. Health care professionals discovered ebola in 1976. The ebola database stems from the hemorrhagic fever viruses hfv database project founded by dr. Quammen puts the frightening reality of ebola and the heightened language and hyperbole surrounding it. But the ongoing west african outbreak is the largest ebola virus disease outbreak in the history, world health organization who reported a total of 28,599 cases observed and 11,289 deaths from. National institute of allergy and infectious diseases. Ebola was first identified in 1976 near the ebola river in the country now known as the democratic republic of the congo. Ebola virus disease formerly known as ebola haemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal illness, with a death rate of up to 90% caused by ebola virus, a member of the filovirus family. How ebola is transmitted and how to avoid getting the ebola virus.
Four of six known virus species of the ebolavirus genus are known to infect humans and cause ebola virus disease. Four of the strains reston is the exception are responsible for. Ebola was first identified in 1976 near the ebola river in the drc. The affected areas of the drc are mabongo one confirmed, ngayi one probable, and nambwa four confirmed and two probable in. The deadliest outbreak of ebola virus on record has sparked fears that the killer virus could spread from west africa to other regions and continents. Symptoms of ebola virus disease include a severe headache, high fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rash.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, tru. In 2014, west african countries guinea, liberia, and sierra leone. August 2016 importance ebolaviruses and marburgviruses are incompletely understood pathogens that. Each species of the genus ebolavirus has one member virus, and four of these cause ebola virus disease evd in humans, a type of hemorrhagic fever having a very high case fatality rate. The natural and human history of a deadly virus, mr. Ebola hemorrhagic fever ebola virus disease is a disease caused by four different strains of ebola virus. Except evd has been found in the semen up to 3 months. Ebola virus disease evd, or simply ebola, is a viral haemorrhagic fever of humans and other primates caused by ebolaviruses. In particular, the generic term ebola virus is widely used to refer specifically to members of the species zaire ebolavirus. Nevertheless, the unsettling news of suspected ebola patients in manhattan comes during the same week that two american aid workers, both infected with the virus after treating ebola patients at. The primary point of this confirmation is to contain the current flareups and anticipate further spread of ebola through a globally composed reaction. Ebola virus disease who regional office for africa.
Quammen puts the frightening reality of ebola and the heightened language and hyperbole surrounding it into perspective. Ebola symptoms and signs include headache, fever, diarrhea. The ebola outbreak that began in west africa in early 2014 is the worst outbreak of this virus in history. Mar 30, 2016 is ebola hiding in the eyes of survivors. Prevalence and current approaches of ebola virus disease in. People who recover from ebola are advised to abstain from sex or use. The virus also causes inflammation and tissue damage. This brief book is a product of sections of his 2012 book spillover and recent events.
Here he tells the story of ebolaits past, present, and its unknowable future. Fievre hemorra gique a virus ebola fiche technique. Ebolavirusinfected cells and uninfected controls were incubated with ebola virus gpspecific monoclonal antibodies f6 ref. The ebola virus can cause severe viral haemorrhagic fever ebola hf outbreaks in humans with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. Ebov, is one of six known species within the genus ebolavirus. Acclaimed science writer and explorer david quammen first came near the virus while he was traveling in the jungles of gabon, accompanied by local men whose village had been devastated by a recent outbreak. A team of hhmi researchers has found a possible clue to how the ebola virus consumes the human body so quickly. The current 20142015 ebola virus ebov outbreak is among the most significant global health threats in recent history. Zaire ebolavirus is the type species reference or example species for ebolavirus, has the highest mortality rate of the ebolaviruses, and is responsible for. Ebola virus disease or ebola hemorrhagic fever was first found to infect humans in 1976.
Ebola virus entry requires the cholesterol transporter. Ebola virus disease evd is one of numerous viral hemorrhagic fevers. Typically, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash follow, along with decreased function of the liver and kidneys. Ebola is also known as ebola virus disease evd or ebola hemorrhagic fever ehf. The democratic republic of the congo drc was identified by the world health organization who on 11 may 2017 as having one ebolarelated death as of 8 june 2017, there were five confirmed cases and three probable cases. Introduction to ebola virus disease world health organization. The ebola outbreak in the democratic republic of congo has spread to a city, the world health organization said thursday. Isolate the patient in a private room with a private bathroom or covered, bedside. The virus is spread by human contact with rodent waste. In studies published in todays issue of the journal science, gary nabel, a former hughes investigator at the university of michigan, and colleagues report that they have identified two of the viruss main targets in humans neutrophils, which are white blood cells that contribute to. Ebola virus disease evd, ebola hemorrhagic fever ehf or simply ebola is a disease of humans and other mammals caused by an ebolavirus symptoms start two days to three weeks after contracting the virus, with a fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and headaches. Ebola virus disease evd was first identified in 1976 following simultaneous outbreaks in sudan and zaire now the democratic republic of congo, or drc in africa.
The virus was discovered in 1976 near the ebola river in the presentday democratic republic of congo. Because the deadly disease was discovered relatively recently, there is no cure or vaccine for ebola, and treatment options are limited. Humantohuman transmission once the ebola virus has infected the first human, transmission of the virus from one human to another can occur through contact with the blood and body fluids of sick people or with the bodies of those who have died of ebola. Zaire ebolavirus, more commonly known as ebola virus i. The ebola virus can cause severe viral haemorrhagic fever ebola hf outbreaks in. It belongs to a family of viruses that cause viral haemorrhagic fever vhf. Ebola virus disease ebola or evd is a rare disease that causes severe symptoms and can be lifethreatening.
The government of vietnam has introduced mandatory temperature check at the international airports in hanoi and ho chi minh city to prevent the entry of the virus by the passengers. Ebola disease is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. There are five ebola subspecies, four of which are known to cause the disease. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and then spreads in the human population through. In studies published in todays issue of the journal science, gary nabel, a former hughes investigator at the university of michigan, and colleagues report that they have identified two of the virus s main targets in humans neutrophils, which are white blood cells that contribute to. Ebola hemorrhagic fever ebola virus disease medicinenet.
Hanta virus is a distant cousin of ebola virus, but is found worldwide. Bette korber, and translated much of its tools, infrastructure and philosophy from hiv to hfv. The outbreak of ebola virus disease evd in north kivu and ituri provinces, democratic republic of the congo drc continued this past week. Mortality from ebola virus disease in the current outbreak in west africa seems to be around 5060 per cent. Marburgvirus infections ebola and marburg virus disease, ebola and marburg hemorrhagic fever, african hemorrhagic fever in africa. The doh of vietnam, together with the police and department of tourism has strict observation on the visitors who are from ebola affected country for three weeks upon their arrival and required the. It is a severe, often fatal disease 50%90% fatality in humans and nonhuman primates such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees. Assessment of the risk of ebola virus transmission from bodily fluids and fomites. Some west africans who have beat the deadly disease are now going blindand doctors, unsure if treatment would unleash the virus back into the. Vomiting, diarrhoea and rash usually follow, along with decreased function of the liver and kidneys. Mar 27, 2014 the deadliest outbreak of ebola virus on record has sparked fears that the killer virus could spread from west africa to other regions and continents. May 17, 2018 the ebola outbreak in the democratic republic of congo has spread to a city, the world health organization said thursday. Prevalence and current approaches of ebola virus disease.
Aug 24, 2011 ebola virus infected cells and uninfected controls were incubated with ebola virus gpspecific monoclonal antibodies f6 ref. Nevertheless, hightitered hyperimmune horse anti ebola serum has been produced and been found protective in baboons challenged with ebola virus. Five different species of the virus have been found. There are five strains of the ebola virus tai forest, sudan, bundibugyo, zaire, and reston. Ebola virus has caused the majority of human deaths from evd, and was the cause of the. Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted through direct contact. Ebola can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees. Ebola is a virus that causes problems with how your blood clots. The ebola virus was found in several african countries and was first discovered in 1976 near the ebola river in the democratic republic of congo, and since then this disease has spread. Ebolas incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, and its considered contagious for a period of 21 days after successful treatmenthospitalization. Ebola virus disease evd is an infectious disease that is spread through humans when blood or bodily fluids urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen from a person infected with ebola come into direct contact through broken skin or mucous membranes such as eyes, nose, or mouth with another. Effective treatment is not yet available and over 50% of cases end in fatality.
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