Ebola Virus is one of the feared diseases of the world society because it can cause tremendous bleeding. In addition, Ebola virus has a fairly high mortality rate.
The Ebola Virus is rarely found outside of the African region, but has ever occurred outside of the African country, such as in Russia, England, Italy, America, the Philippines, and Spain. However, cases of such infections arise due to laboratory accidents or when a person returns from Africa.
Deadly Ebola virus background
The Ebola Virus existed long before infecting humans. However, the virus spreads due to population growth, interaction with wild animals, and exploration into the forests.
The Ebola Virus was first discovered in Central Africa in 1976, in the Congo region and the southern Sudan. The term Ebola derives from the first case of an Ebola viral infection in a village near the Ebola River in the Congo area of Central Africa.
Initially, researchers assumed that both cases occurred from the same virus, but apparently the Ebola virus infection was two different types of Ebola viruses.
Ebola Virus Facts
Ebola Virus Origin
The origins of Ebola virus are from the genus Ebolavirus, the family of Filoviridae. A person infected with this virus will show symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, body pains, inner and outer bleeding, and fever. 90% of people who contracted Ebola ended up with death.
Then where does this virus come from? According to WHO, this virus is caused by bat derived from the family of Pteropodidae.
Ebola Virus does not spread by air
Unlike flu viruses that can spread through the air, the Ebola virus does not spread through the media, but rather through direct contact with the sufferer. Humans can be infected from the bat, monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees and hedgehog. Carcasses, dirt, and fluids coming from infected animals can also be a medium of viral transmission.
While the transmission between human beings occurs when making direct contact with Ebola sufferers, such as blood exchange, sweat, or other bodily fluids. Whereas human-to-human transmission occurs when making direct contact with Ebola sufferers, such as the exchange of blood, sweat, or other bodily fluids.
Contact with items contaminated with the virus is also becoming the cause of the contracting of this deadly virus. So, never contact people, objects or animals infected with Ebola virus.
The incubation period for Ebola Virus only 2-21 days
This may be the reason why an Ebola virus is very deadly. Unlike other viruses that have a relatively long incubation period, Ebola Virus even has a very fast incubation period. Just imagine only within 3 weeks the Ebola sufferer can pass away.
In the study of the Ebola virus into the human body is initially the Ebola Virus enters the human blood vessels and causes leakage of blood vessels. Patients will experience tremendous dehydration and require a special fluid containing electrolytes.
How is the Ebola virus spread?
This Virus is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with body fluids as well as secretions. Infections can occur through peeling of the skin, mouth, even nose.
This Virus can also spread through the blood, vomit, urine, semen, and feces of someone who has contracted the Ebola.
Medical personnel and funeral officers are always at high risk of contracting Ebola, because of beds, clothing, and other contaminated surfaces.
To ensure the virus is killed, all blankets, clothing, beds, as well as other contaminated surfaces should be cleaned with disinfectant liquids, because once Ebola virus enters the bloodstream, one will always be a virus carrier.
Fortunately, Ebola does not spread through the air like flu viruses. Nevertheless, Ebola’s disease still causes a high mortality rate.
Read also: Ebola outbreak 2020: What is Ebola, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment + News [Update]
