Ebola is a virus which comes from a family of viruses which is known as Filoviridae. There are a total of five species which are found in this virus and some of these species are lethal then the other species. The origin of Ebola was idealized from a fruit bat, however Ebola was introduced to humans when they came in close contact with the infected bats. There are some specific species which cause the Ebola Virus disease. Ebola was recently known as the Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Some of the common causes of EVD are sore throat, headaches, muscle pain, fever which are then followed by vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and decreased kidney and liver function.
How dangerous is it?
Ebola Virus Disease was first found in humans in the year 1976 in Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. The outbreak of Ebola virus took place near a river called Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo and that is how Ebola got its name. If we talk about the current outbreak of Ebola it started in December 2013 and it is believed that it first took place in Guinea. Some of the lethal species of Ebola were known during this outbreak. Some of the countries which were affected during this outbreak were Liberia, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. There are 1,975 cases of Ebola till August 14 and around 1069 deaths are confirmed during the same time period.
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The transmission of Ebola virus takes place from one human to another via direct contact. The direct contact can be via bodily fluids like urine, saliva, vomit, vaginal secretions or via the blood of the people who are already infected with Ebola. Ebola can also transmit from one person to other with objects like needles. By direct contact we mean that contaminated body blood or fluid is transmitted into an uninfected person and then enter in their body. Virus can also take place into the body via the broken skin areas or other parts of the body such as nostrils, genital area, lips and even anus.
Symptoms of Ebola virus can be seen 2-21 days after one has been exposed to the virus. The main symptoms of Ebola virus are stomach pain, muscle pain, fever, vomiting and lack of appetite. Red eyes, rash, hiccups, cough, sore throat, difficult breathing are some of the other symptoms of Ebola.
If you are living in a country or are traveling a country which is affected by Ebola virus then you need to take a couple of precautions so that you are not exposed to the virus. To stop getting in contact with the virus you should not come in contact with any body fluids. Make sure you don’t come in contact with infected bats, apes or monkeys. Make sure you are not having bash raw meat as this is basically raw meat of bats, monkeys and other hoofed animals. If you know anyone who is infected make sure that you are not touching any things which were used by that person during the infection.