EBOLA VIRUS

cause a severe illness known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever that can be lethal to humans and nonhuman primates appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, in Nzara, Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) four identified subtypes of Ebola virus: Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, Ebola-Ivory Coast, and EbolaReston only Ebola-Reston subtype are known to have caused disease in humans there are no other known causes of Ebola 2 types of exposure history: - Primary exposure involves travel to or work in an Ebola-endemic area -Secondary exposure human-to-human exposure (eg, medical caregivers, family caregivers, persons who prepared deceased patients for burial), primate-to-human exposure (eg, animal care workers who provide care for primates), persons who collect or prepare bush meat for human consumption SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS a severe acute viral illness like fever, headache, aches, weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea but with severe cases of hemorrhagic fever there can be damage to blood vessels and extensive internal and external bleeding (hemorrhage) laboratory findings show low counts of white blood cells and platelets as well as elevated liver enzymes people are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus the incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) varies between 2 to 21 days. Diagnostic studies Basic blood tests Complete blood count (CBC) with differential, bilirubin, liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, pH

Studies for isolating the virus Tissue culture (only to be performed in one of a few highcontainment laboratories throughout the world), reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay Serologic testing Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antigens or for immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies Other studies Immunochemical testing of postmortem skin, electron microscopy No drug has been approved to treat Ebola virus People diagnosed with Ebola virus receive supportive care and treatment for complications Scientists are coming closer to developing vaccines for these deadly diseases PREVENTION Avoid traveling to areas of known outbreaks. Before traveling to Africa, find out about any current epidemics by checking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Wash your hands frequently. As with other infectious diseases, one of the most important preventive measures for Ebola virus and Marburg virus is frequent hand-washing. Use soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol when soap and water aren't available. Avoid bush meat. In developing countries, wild animals, including nonhuman primates, are sold in local markets. Avoid buying or eating any of these animals. Avoid contact with infected people. In particular, caregivers should avoid contact with the person's body fluids and tissues, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions and saliva. People with Ebola or Marburg are most contagious in the later stages of the disease. Follow infection-control procedures. If you're a health care worker, wear protective clothing such as gloves, masks, gowns and eye shields. Keep infected people isolated from others. Carefully disinfect and dispose of needles and other instruments. Injection needles and syringes should not be reused. Don't handle remains. The bodies of people who have died of Ebola or Marburg disease are still contagious. Specially organized and trained teams should bury the remains, using appropriate safety equipment.