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A Brief History of Ebola

Photo by Thomas Lipke on Unsplash
The well-known Ebola virus, Zaire ebolavirus, is one of six species within the Ebolavirus genus. Originally named Ebola haemorrhagic fever, after the Ebola River, the virus first cropped up in 1976 with outbreaks in Nzara, South Sudan and Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo[1]. The virus has reappeared frequently in the years since, with the 2014 epidemic in West Africa and the more recent DRC 2019 outbreak.



The natural hosts of Ebola are thought to be fruit bats within the family Pteropdidae, with the virus entering the human population through close exposure to the organs, blood or bodily fluids of infected animals including fruit bats and non-human primates. Upon infecting a human, the virus is transmitted through a population via contact with the blood/bodily fluids of an infected individual and contaminated objects[1]. The Ebola virus has an incubation period of 2 to 21 days, meaning symptoms appear within this time-frame following infection. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, a fever, headaches, muscle pain/weakness, diarrhoea, stomach pain, a rash and a decrease in kidney and liver function. Internal bleeding may also occur [2], and the average fatality rate of the Ebola virus is approximately 50%[1].

No licenced vaccine is available for the Ebola vaccine, and in past outbreaks treatment has focussed on supportive care and improving symptoms. However, during the 2019 outbreak, the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine has been rolled out, with initial data suggesting that the vaccine has been effective [3].

With such a high fatality rate and limited treatment options, the prevention and control of the virus is incredibly important. Measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of infection include:

  • Reduced contact with infected animals, handling them only with gloves, and cooking animal products thoroughly if to be consumed.
  • Reduced contact with infected humans, wearing protective clothing if contact is needed and washing hands regularly.
  • Safe and dignified burial of the dead.
  • Practicing safe sex [1].


References
1            WHO. (2019) Ebola virus disease.
2            NHS. (2016) Ebola virus disease -NHS.
3          WHO. (2019) Preliminary results onthe efficacy of rVSV-ZEBOV-GP Ebola vaccine using the ring vaccination strategyin the control of an Ebola outbreak in the.

All views my own
All information correct at time of publishing

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