Ebola
What is Ebola??
• Ebola is a rare and deadly disease caused by the
infection of the Ebola Virus (5 strands)
• Ebola viruses are found in several African Countries.
• Ebola was first discovered in 1976, near the Ebola River
in Congo.
• Outbreaks have occurred sporadically in Africa.
• Scientists believe the virus is animal-borne and bats are
the likely reservoir.
Symptoms
Symptoms may appear 2-21 days
after exposure
Average is 8-10 days
Symptoms
•Fever
•Severe Headache
•Muscle Pain
•Weakness
•Diarrhea
•Vomiting
•Stomach Pain
•Unexplained
Bleeding and Bruising
Transmission of Ebola
• Ebola is spread through direct contact
• Broken skin, mucous membranes (eyes, nose,
mouth)
• Blood or body fluids
• Objects (needles)
• Consumption of Infected animals (bats, bushmeat)
• Ebola is NOT spread by air.
Prevention
• There is no vaccine
• If you travel to an area affected by an Ebola outbreak:
• Practice careful hygiene
• Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an
infected person’s blood/body fluids (clothes, bedding, needles,
etc)
• Avoid contact with bats and primates and raw meat of these
animals
• Avoid hospitals with Ebola patients
• If contact is made, watch for symptoms over the next 21 days
Diagnosis and Treatment
• If experiencing symptoms there are several laboratory
tests that can be conducted in a hospital to diagnose
Ebola Virus.
• Treatment (all while in quarantine):
• IV fluids
• Maintaining Oxygen and blood pressure
• Treating infections as they occur
• There is no cure (currently), only treatment.
• Scientists are working on a vaccine
Recovery
•Recovery from Ebola is 30-50%
•Depends on your immune response
•Once you’ve had Ebola, you have
antibodies for the virus that last at least
10 years
Ebola Graphing