What Is Ebola Virus Disease?
The disease is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa and is transmitted through close contact with infected animals or people.
Ebola virus disease, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a highly contagious and often deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. The disease is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa and is transmitted through close contact with infected animals or people.
Symptoms of Ebola virus disease include fever, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and internal and external bleeding. There is no specific treatment for the disease and it is often fatal, with a mortality rate ranging from 25% to 90% depending on the strain of the virus and the availability of medical care.
Prevention of Ebola virus disease includes avoiding contact with infected animals or people, practicing good hygiene, and receiving the Ebola vaccine if available. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends quarantine and isolation measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Outbreaks of Ebola virus disease have occurred periodically since the virus was first identified in 1976, with the most recent outbreak in West Africa from 2014-2016 resulting in over 28,000 cases and over 11,000 deaths.
Ebola virus disease is a serious and potentially deadly illness, but with proper prevention and medical care, the spread of the disease can be controlled. It is important for individuals to educate themselves and follow guidelines from health organizations to protect themselves and others from this devastating disease.