1. Information on the Ebola surge in West Africa All you need to know about Ebola (HF) -Jazlyn Selvasingh

2. General information  Ebola’s full name is Ebola Hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF)  Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic fever (There are many vial hemorrhagic fevers, Ebola is one of them)  It infects non-human primates and humans  Ebola virus family: filoviridae  Virus genus: Ebolavirus  Symptoms begin abruptly  First species of ebola virus discovered in 1976 (DRC) near ebola river  Ebola’s full name is Ebola Hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF)  Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic fever (There are many vial hemorrhagic fevers, Ebola is one of them)  It infects non-human primates and humans  Ebola virus family: filoviridae  Virus genus: Ebolavirus  Symptoms begin abruptly  First species of ebola virus discovered in 1976 (DRC) near ebola river

3. The 5 Subspecies of Ebolavirus  Only 4/5 cause disease in humans  1) Zaire ebolavirus  2) Sudan ebolavirus  3) Tai Forest ebolavirus  4) Bundibugyo ebolavirus  5) Reston ebolavirus (has only caused disease in non-human primates)  Only 4/5 cause disease in humans  1) Zaire ebolavirus  2) Sudan ebolavirus  3) Tai Forest ebolavirus  4) Bundibugyo ebolavirus  5) Reston ebolavirus (has only caused disease in non-human primates)

4. The host of Ebolavirus  The host remains unknown   The nature of similar viral hemmorhagic fevers points to evidence that it is zoonotic  Bats are the most likely reservoir  4/5 subtypes occur in an animals host that is from Africa  The host of reston virus is probably similar to the host of the other subspecies  When cynomologous monkeys were imported to the U.S. and Italy from the Philippines, Ebolavirus was isolated from the monkeys. The workers in the U.S. holding facility were infected with the virus but never had symptoms. This proves that it does not cause disease in humans  The host remains unknown   The nature of similar viral hemmorhagic fevers points to evidence that it is zoonotic  Bats are the most likely reservoir  4/5 subtypes occur in an animals host that is from Africa  The host of reston virus is probably similar to the host of the other subspecies  When cynomologous monkeys were imported to the U.S. and Italy from the Philippines, Ebolavirus was isolated from the monkeys. The workers in the U.S. holding facility were infected with the virus but never had symptoms. This proves that it does not cause disease in humans

5. How is Ebola transmitted  Researchers believe that the first patient becomes infected via contact with an animal  When Ebola is transmitted from person to person it is transmitted via direct contact with blood or other secretions  The virus is often spread to people who come in close contact with the patients secretions when they are ill. (ex. Friends and family when caring for the ill patient)  Transmission in the health care setting- When hospital staff are not wearing appropriate protective masks and other coverings, the disease can spread very fast.  Researchers believe that the first patient becomes infected via contact with an animal  When Ebola is transmitted from person to person it is transmitted via direct contact with blood or other secretions  The virus is often spread to people who come in close contact with the patients secretions when they are ill. (ex. Friends and family when caring for the ill patient)  Transmission in the health care setting- When hospital staff are not wearing appropriate protective masks and other coverings, the disease can spread very fast.

6. The signs/symptoms of Ebola Most common symptomsSome patients experience… FeverA rash HeadacheRed eyes Joint & muscle painHiccups WeaknessCough DiarrheaSore throat VomitingChest pain Stomach pain and lack of appetiteDifficulty breathing, and swallowing Bleeding in and out of body Incubation period: 21 days Some patients who become infected recover, others do not. The reason behind this is not fully understood. Those who died usually did not have an immune response to the virus at the time of death.

7. Diagnosis of Ebola  It is hard to diagnose a patient who has only been infected for a few days because many of the early symptoms are not specific to Ebola  If a person may have Ebola, then the following is done 1)Isolated from the public 2)Health professional notified 3)Samples from patient are collected  It is hard to diagnose a patient who has only been infected for a few days because many of the early symptoms are not specific to Ebola  If a person may have Ebola, then the following is done 1)Isolated from the public 2)Health professional notified 3)Samples from patient are collected

8. Treatment of Ebola  The standard treatment of Ebola is limited to relieving symptoms --balancing fluid & electrolytes --maintain breathing and heart beat --treat any complicating infections  People who treat the patient must wear protective gear  After this treatment has begun, samples are taken from the patient to confirm infection  Some experimental treatments have been tested in animals and have worked. However, these treatments have not been tested with humans  The standard treatment of Ebola is limited to relieving symptoms --balancing fluid & electrolytes --maintain breathing and heart beat --treat any complicating infections  People who treat the patient must wear protective gear  After this treatment has begun, samples are taken from the patient to confirm infection  Some experimental treatments have been tested in animals and have worked. However, these treatments have not been tested with humans

9. How to prevent Ebola  It is still unknown how exactly humans become infected  Transmission rates increase in health care setting  Isolate Ebola patients  Infection-control  Protective gear  Avoid contact with blood and other secretions of Ebola patients  It is still unknown how exactly humans become infected  Transmission rates increase in health care setting  Isolate Ebola patients  Infection-control  Protective gear  Avoid contact with blood and other secretions of Ebola patients

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