Ebola virus disease (EVD) also referred to as Ebola
haemorrhagic fever or EHF or simply Ebola is a disease of humans and primates.
Ebola virus disease in human is caused by four or five viruses of the genus
Ebola virus. The four are Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), Sudan virus (SUDV) Tai
forest virus (TAFV) and one simply called Ebola virus (EBOV formerly Zaire
Ebola virus).
haemorrhagic fever or EHF or simply Ebola is a disease of humans and primates.
Ebola virus disease in human is caused by four or five viruses of the genus
Ebola virus. The four are Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), Sudan virus (SUDV) Tai
forest virus (TAFV) and one simply called Ebola virus (EBOV formerly Zaire
Ebola virus).
EBOV is the only member of
the Zaire Ebola virus species and the most dangerous of the known EVD causing
viruses and is responsible for the largest number of outbreaks.
the Zaire Ebola virus species and the most dangerous of the known EVD causing
viruses and is responsible for the largest number of outbreaks.
The fifth virus, Reston
virus (RESTV) is not thought to cause disease in humans but has caused disease
in other primates. All five viruses are closely related to Marburg viruses.
virus (RESTV) is not thought to cause disease in humans but has caused disease
in other primates. All five viruses are closely related to Marburg viruses.
The Ebola virus causes an acute,
serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. Ebola virus disease (EVD)
first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, one in Nzara, Sudan and
the other in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The later occurred in a
village near the Ebola River from which the disease takes its name.
serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. Ebola virus disease (EVD)
first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, one in Nzara, Sudan and
the other in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The later occurred in a
village near the Ebola River from which the disease takes its name.
The current outbreak in
West Africa (first cases noticed in March 2014) is the largest and most complex
Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. There have
been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It has
also spread between countries starting from Guinea then spreading across land
borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia by air (1 traveller only) to Nigeria and by
land (1 traveller) to Senegal.
West Africa (first cases noticed in March 2014) is the largest and most complex
Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. There have
been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It has
also spread between countries starting from Guinea then spreading across land
borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia by air (1 traveller only) to Nigeria and by
land (1 traveller) to Senegal.
The most severely affected
countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have very weak health systems,
lacking human and infrastructural resources, having only recently emerged from
long periods of conflicts and instability. On August 8, 2014, the WHO Director
General declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international
concern.
countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have very weak health systems,
lacking human and infrastructural resources, having only recently emerged from
long periods of conflicts and instability. On August 8, 2014, the WHO Director
General declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international
concern.