Notes for Ebola Flashcards
Ebola Name
Ebola, according to WHO, is known for many names. Its scientific name, Zaire ebolavirus; abbreviation, EVD; Ebola haemorrhagic fever; and of course, Ebola.
Fatality Rate
Based on studies produced by WHO, Ebola’s fatality rate is 50%, ranging anywhere from a 25 to 90% fatality in past outbreaks of the disease.
Comment
Professionals at WHO say that “Community engagement is the key to controlling outbreaks.”
Vaccines
Like all outbreaks, including the recent Covid-19 outbreak, the best way to protect the community and yourself is to get vaccinated. This includes Ebola who’s vaccine started becoming manufactured in 2019.
Origins
Ebola first reared its ugly head in 1976 in the countries of both DRC and South Sudan. The outbreak originating in DRC was first found in a little town along the Ebola river, hence the disease’s name.
Outbreak
The outbreaks in 1976 were the largest until 2014 in West Africa
Genus
Ebola consists of 3 types of genus including Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Taï Forest, Reston, and Bombali.
Transmission
It is believed by scientists around the world that fruit bats are the origin of the Ebola virus.
Transmission
Ebola is spread through bodily fluids including urine, vomit, feces, and blood.
Transmission
According to the CDC, burial ceremonies results in a high likelihood of contracting Ebola.
Burial Ceremonies
Ebola after the first few cases, was mainly spread through burial ceremonies. The ceremonies include touching and washing the body. This was a vicious cycle of washing the dead, getting sick, then washing those dead, then getting sick from those.
Genus
Only four of the six have caused disease in people. Reston virus for example cannot affect people, but pigs become very ill.
Transmission
Even is someone has recovered the CDC says that, “People can get the virus through sexual contact with someone who is sick with or has recovered from EVD. The virus can persist in certain body fluids, like semen, after recovery from the illness.”
United States
The United States has only seen 4 cases in the country. (Medline)
Transmission
While the outbreak of Covid-19 is spread through air droplets, there is no evidence that Ebola is spread through the air.
Transmission
One of the deadliest aspects of Covid-19 is the incubation period which can be as high has 2 weeks. Unlike Covid-19, a person effected with Ebola cannot spread the disease if they are not showing symptoms.
Symptoms
The early symptoms according to MedlinePlus, includes Fever greater than 101.5°F,Chills, Severe headache, Sore throat, Muscle pain, Weakness, Fatigue, Rash, Abdominal (stomach) pain, Diarrhea, and Vomiting.
Symptoms
The latest symptoms of Ebola include; Bleeding from the mouth and rectum, Bleeding from eyes, ears, and nose, and lastly Organ failure.
Symptoms
If exposed to Ebola, MedlinePlus says that “A person who does not have symptoms 21 days after being exposed to Ebola will not develop the disease.”
Stayin Alive
While interviewing Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, HuffPost discovered that the disease can live outside of a host for up to a few days in room temperature.
Virus
Viruses like Ebola are not alive because they cannot replicate without the help of a host cell.
Virus
Viruses like the Ebola Virus have genetic material called RNA, unlike species that are alive including animals and plants, who have DNA.
Infecting Cells
Because Ebola needs a host cell to replicate it takes advantage of a cell process called macropinocytosis. This is a process in which a cell gulps up anything on the surface, which may include Ebola. (Harvard)
RNA
Instructions for how to build more virus
Huffpost DNA Quote
"”Then it comes bursting out of our cells and produces this protein that wreaks havoc,” Bhadelia explained. The protein is called ebolavirus glycoprotein, and attaches to the cells on the inside of the blood vessels. This increases permeability of the blood vessels – leading to blood leaking out of the vessels. “The virus causes derangement in the body’s ability to coagulate and thicken the blood,” she said. Even people who don’t show hemorrhagic symptoms will experience this leaking of blood from the vessels – which can eventually lead to shock and, ultimately, death.” (Huffpost)
Natural Defenses
Ebola is particularly deadly because it can hijack immune cells and use them to travel to different parts of the body which it then infect. (Huffpost)
Explosion
When cells are infected with Ebola the cell will eventually die by essentially exploding in the body and the virus is spread more throughout the infected’s body.
Explosion
Because of all the exploding a chemical is released that causes inflamed symptoms, which causes the flu-like symptoms in the body. (Huffpost)
Days 1-3
According to Dr. Bhadelia at Boston University, the first 3 days include flu-like symptoms and exhaustion
Days 4-7
Days 4-7 include vomitting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, headaches, and anemia.
Days 7-10
Internal and external bleeding which all lead to coma, shock, and death.
Shock
“People who die from infection with Ebola virus usually end up dying from multi-organ failure and shock. “The shock is from the bleeding – now you’re bleeding in different parts of your body, and the blood is leaking out of your blood vessels,” Bhadelia explained. “Even if [you don’t have] the hemorrhagic features, you’re still leaking blood.”“(Huffpost)
Vaccine
A vaccine was developed on Dec 19, 2019 (CDC)
