Ebola

World's deadliest-ever Ebola epidemic creats panic situation all around. The cause of Ebola is an infection with the Ebola virus. There are no other causes of Ebola.The Ebola virus got its name from a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (previously Zaire), in Africa, where the disease was first acknowledged. Ebola virus is one of two members of a family of RNA viruses known as Filoviridae. There are four identified subtypes of Ebola virus. Three of the four have caused disease in humans:Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, Ebola-Ivory Coast. The fourth Ebola virus subtype, Ebola-Reston, it has caused disease in nonhuman primates (gorillas, chimps ect) but not in humans.

The exact origin, locations, and natural habitat of Ebola virus remain unknown; however, on the basis of available evidence, and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the Ebola virus lives in an animal host that is native to the African continent. They continue to search for the exact animal.Just as scientists are unsure of the animal host for the Ebola virus, they are also unsure how an outbreak of Ebola virus occurs. Researchers have hypothesized that the first patient becomes infected with Ebola virus through contact with an infected animal.

Transmission:Once Ebola virus infects the first human, scientists do know how Ebola virus is spread from human to human. Transmission of Ebola occurs through direct contact with patients who have Ebola, or their body fluids (such as blood or secretions). The spread of Ebola most often occurs during the late stages of an Ebola infection. When someone becomes infected with Ebola, he or she will not feel sick immediately. For 2 to 21 days, the person feels normal; however, inside his or her body, the Ebola virus is multiplying. This period between transmission of the virus and the beginning of Ebola symptoms is called the Ebola incubation period.

Symptoms:When a person becomes infected with Ebola virus, the virus begins to multiply within the body. After four to six days on average, Ebola symptoms can begin. The period between infection with the virus and the start of Ebola symptoms is called the incubation period. The Ebola incubation period can be anywhere between two and twenty-one days.The start of Ebola symptoms are quite often abrupt. 

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Weakness
• Severe headache
• Joint and a muscle aches
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Dry, hacking cough
• Stomach pain

A rash, red eyes, hiccups, and internal and external bleeding may be seen in some patients. When the rash develops on dark skin, it is often not recognized until the rash begins to peel. In pregnant women, abortion (miscarriage) and heavy vaginal bleeding are common Ebola symptoms. Death usually occurs during the second week of Ebola symptoms. Death in Ebola victims is usually from massive blood loss.