The Zaire Ebola virus species comprises of only one virus, Ebola virus. It is among the most deadly diseases from the five known viruses that are a part of the genus Ebola virus. From these five Ebola viruses, four can causes severe and fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and other mammals. These Ebola virus disease and its species were formerly called as Zaire. Zaire is the country where the Ebola virus was first detected. Initially, this virus was suspected to be a new strain with a close relation to the Marburg virus. The Ebola disease forms a part of the virological taxon species from the genus Ebola virus, family Filoviridae and order Mononegavirales. The type species for Ebola virus is also a part of the Zaire Ebola virus species. The transmission of the Ebola disease usually takes place from animals to humans through the infected body fluids.
Is Ebola contagious?
As opposed to other common viruses like colds, influenza or measles, the Ebola disease is not contagious. The Ebola transmission mostly happens when a person has a close contact with the skin or even bodily fluids of an infected animal such as a fruit bat, chimp or a monkey. A person who is in direct contact with a sick person or had to bury someone who had died from the disease is most likely to contract it. The other ways that cause the transmission of the Ebola disease include touching contaminated needles or surfaces.
What are the typical signs and symptoms of Ebola?
At first, the Ebola disease feels like the flu or other illnesses caused by viruses. The typical symptoms of Ebola tend to show up about 2 to 21 days after a person has been infected. Some of the common Ebola signs and symptoms are listed here:
- High fever
- Headache
- Joint and muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Weakness
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
When the symptoms of Ebola become worse, the patient experiences bleeding inside the body as well as from other body parts like eyes, ears and nose. Some Ebola patients also tend to vomit or cough blood while others may experience bloody diarrhea or rash on their skin.
Diagnosis of Ebola
It is difficult to diagnose whether a person is suffering from Ebola only through its symptoms. In order to verify whether a person has got Ebola disease, doctors ask him to undergo some tests. These tests rule out the occurrence of other diseases like malaria and cholera. For diagnosing the Ebola disease, patients are recommended to have blood tests, and many other tests that can indicate the presence of this virus in the blood and tissues. As this is one of the deadliest diseases, the patients suffering from the Ebola disease are isolated from the public. This initiative is taken to ensure that the disease doesn’t spread further.
How to reduce the risk of Ebola virus?
There is a lack of effective Ebola virus treatment or vaccines. So, it has become important to create awareness among people about the Ebola transmission, its signs and symptoms and the risk factors involved with its infection. Even though there is inadequate treatment available for Ebola, it is possible to take preventive measures to ensure that the chances of its infection are reduced greatly. Africa is badly hit with this disease, and several people had to lose their lives due to its infection. So, it is of primary importance to spread health messages in such affected areas to help people take preventive measures and stay away from this deadly virus. Let’s look at some of the risk reduction factors that can help in reducing the Ebola transmission as per the report Ebola A Global Terror
- For avoiding animal to human transmission of Ebola, it is important to wear protective clothing such as gloves when in contact with infected animals. It is also necessary to avoid consumption of raw meat and ensure that all the animal products are fully cooked.
- For avoiding human to human transmission, it is of utmost importance to stay away from the infected patients. The Ebola disease transmission becomes easier when a person comes in close contact with the infected patients. People who need to take care of Ebola patients need to take special care by wearing protective gloves and other safety gears so that the virus doesn’t infect them. It is essential to follow the standard sanitary measures like washing hands after being in contact with an Ebola patient. These measures can help in reducing the Ebola transmission.
As there aren’t any proper Ebola virus treatments available, it is important to take preventive measures. Apart from that, it would be a good idea to keep a watch on the signs and symptoms of Ebola. If needed, visit a doctor immediately for its diagnosis and treatment.