Ebola is the largest outbreak ever and can easily spread from person to person. People who are most at risk are those in close physical contact with an infected person. The first Ebola case was reported on September 30 2014. The patient died 8 days later. Currently, Ebola is the most widespread and intense disease in West Africa. It is caused by an RNA virus.
The emerging health threat is the result of a RNA virus that infects wild animals like fruit bats, monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees as well as people. Contact with an infected animals blood or body fluids is probably the original source of the infectious disease. There is no known Ebola transmission through coughing or sneezing, like with influenza or tuberculosis.
Early symptoms of Ebola are fever, headaches, body aches, cough, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Its difficult to diagnose Ebola because the symptoms could be for other diseases too. It takes anywhere from 2 to 21 days to diagnose Ebola. Most people who are infected with Ebola will develop early symptoms eight to nine days after exposure to the virus. Specific tests for antibodies against Ebola and viral DNA help doctors make a conclusive diagnosis.
Later symptoms of Ebola can appear quickly, within a few days after onset of early symptoms. Due to internal and external bleeding, the patients eye may become red, and they may vomit blood, have bloody diarrhea, and suffer cardiovascular collapse and death. The only treatment doctors can provide is supportive care. Its where they give the patient fluids and oxygen to keep their blood pressure steady.
You are not at risk for Ebola infection unless you are in direct contact with bodily fluids of someone with Ebola while they have viral symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and cough. New infections come from close contact with an infected person, especially with blood, body fluids, or contaminated needles, late in the disease when viral levels are high.
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