I-WHAT IS EBOLA ?

Ebola is a rare but severe illness in humans. It is caused by

a virus that belongs to the family Filoviridae. There are six
species of Ebola virus, but the most dangerous one is the
Zaire ebolavirus, which was first discovered in 1976 in the
Democratic Republic of Congo1. Ebola virus disease, or
EVD, is often fatal, with an average case fatality rate of
around 50%1. However, some outbreaks have had much
higher mortality rates, reaching up to 90%1.

II- THE MODE OF TRANSMISSION OF EBOLA

Ebola virus is transmitted from animals to humans through

close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other
bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats,
chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope or
porcupines. These animals are known as reservoir hosts,
meaning that they can carry the virus without getting sick.
Humans can also get infected by eating bushmeat, which is
the meat of wild animals hunted for food.
Once a human is infected, Ebola virus can spread from
person to person through direct contact with the blood,
secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of a person who is
sick with or has died from Ebola. This can happen through
touching, kissing, sexual intercourse, sharing needles, or
handling contaminated objects such as clothes or sheets.
Health-care workers and burial workers are at high risk of
infection if they do not use proper protective equipment
and follow strict infection prevention and control
measures.

III- THE SYMPTOMS OF EBOLA

The symptoms of Ebola usually appear between 2 and 21

days after exposure to the virus. The incubation period,
which is the time between infection and onset of
symptoms, can vary depending on the species of Ebola
virus and the route of transmission. The early symptoms of
EVD include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore
throat and stomach pain1. These symptoms are similar to
those of other common diseases such as malaria, typhoid
fever or influenza, which can make diagnosis difficult.
As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms may
develop, such as vomiting, diarrhea, rash, bleeding, organ
failure and shock. Bleeding can occur internally or
externally, from the nose, mouth, eyes, ears, or skin. Some
patients may also experience confusion, seizures, or coma.
The average time from onset of symptoms to death is
about 10 days, but some patients may recover after
receiving supportive care and treatment

IV- THE EFFECTS OF EBOLA

The effects of Ebola are not only physical, but also social
and economic. Ebola can cause fear, stigma, and
discrimination among survivors, families, and
communities. It can also disrupt health systems,
education, trade, and livelihoods. Ebola can have long-
term consequences for survivors, such as joint pain, vision
problems, hearing loss, memory loss, and mental health
issues.

V- MEANS OF PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF EBOLA

The good news is that Ebola can be prevented and treated.

There are vaccines available to protect against some types
of Ebola virus, such as the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, which has
been used to control the spread of Ebola in outbreaks in
the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea1. Other
vaccines are in development and undergoing clinical trials.
There are also medicines that can treat Ebola, such as the
monoclonal antibodies mAb114 and REGN-EB3, which
have been recommended by the World Health
Organization as effective and safe treatments1. These
medicines can reduce the risk of death and speed up
recovery.
However, vaccines and medicines are not enough to stop
Ebola. We also need to implement other public health
measures, such as surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory
testing, isolation, quarantine, safe and dignified burials,
and social mobilization1. We need to educate people
about the signs and symptoms of Ebola, how to avoid
exposure, and where to seek help. We need to engage
with communities and respect their cultural and religious
practices. We need to support health-care workers and
provide them with adequate resources and protection. We
need to collaborate with local, national, and international
partners and coordinate our efforts to end Ebola.