Ebola: Global Annihilation?

“Doctors told to prepare for global outbreak after Ebola victim was allowed on two planes” - - www.mirror.co.uk

Until the global outbreak of the Ebola virus in 2014, I heard of a real-life present-day killer virus. Of course, I learned about the Black Plague that occurred centuries ago killing millions of people. But in the modern day, no. It was horrifying. This paper will explore the origins, types, causes/effects, and what is being done to fight the spread of the Ebola virus – the Black Plague of 2014.

It is believed that this virus has been in hiding since ancient times. The lack of knowledge about it’s natural history and reservoirs keeps researchers seeking out the mysterious virus that has no treatment or cure. Based on the available evidence and comparisons of similar viruses, researchers believed the virus to be animal-borne and that the host animal is native to Africa. Their attempts have been unsuccessful, and the source of the virus or where it circulates in between outbreaks is unknown.

There is but one other virus similar to the Ebola, which is a Filovirus, and that is Marburg. Ebola has a 90% death rate, whereas, Marburg is not as deadly. Their long and ropelike shape rather than roundness, as is most other viruses, characterize Filoviruses.

Ebola is contracted very much like HIV: bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, sharing needles, and sexual contact. The only difference is that Ebola can be transmitted from the close contact of an infected person, which is the most common means of infection. This is possible because the Ebola virus has cells on the infected person’s skin. For example, should you touch someone with the virus and then an opening on your body, like your mouth, you can be infected. This is why and how so many health care workers and family members are contaminated before a diagnosis is made. Ebola has an incubation period of 2-21 days depending on how one acquired the virus: direct (needle) or less direct (close contact) contact. Direct contact is far deadlier than the latter.

The virus’ name is taken from the Ebola River in Zaire (now known as Democratic Republic of the Congo), the site of the initial outbreak in 1976. The primary symptoms are flu-like: sore throat, muscle pain, headaches, and weakness. Then, as it advances, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and limited kidney and liver functions occur.