Let's talk Ebola!

Ebola Virus

What Is it?

• One of the most virulent pathogens of humans that can cause septic shock (multi-organ failure)
• Fatality rate in West Africa is estimated to be 70%
• It is a single strand RNA virus, filamentous structure
• The genus Ebola is divided into 5 different species (Zaire, Sudan, Ivory Coast, Bundibugyo, and Reston)
• This virus has been around since 1967. Animals like chimpanzee and gorilla were infected and served as reservoir for transmission
  

Transmission?

• Ingestion, inhalation, passage through breaks in the skin
• Person to person transmission can occur with virus-containing body fluids from a symptomatic person
• Body fluids = blood, semen, feces, breast milk, vomit

How does it harm us?

• cell entry and tissue damage
• Systemic response with increase in inflammation than can lead to shock
• Blood becomes thin and there is a decrease in proteins that prevent bleeding. This may lead to serious bleeding

What are the symptoms?

• flu-like symptoms: fatigue, weakness, headache, high fevers, cough
• rash that is all over the body, not itchy, redness, not raised
• diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain can also occur
• bleeding, seizure

What is the treatment?

• The blood test is usually positive in 3-10 days after the onset of symptoms (PCR test)
• Main treatment is supportive care meaning fluids, blood pressure support, nutrition, blood transfusion, etc.
  
• Antibody preparations like ZMAPP, this is a cocktail of 3 monoclonal antibodies
• Brincidofovir might be another agent that can help with treatment
  

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