Ebola virus

23.03.2024

Ebola virus

Why in the  news?

  Recently, scientists have discovered a new way of reproduction of Ebola in the human body, which has led to the identification of potential targets for drugs to stop this viral disease.

Important points:

• The study also sheds light on how the deadly virus, which affects most people in sub-Saharan Africa, interacts with a human protein called ubiquitin.

About Ebola Virus:

• Ebola virus disease (EVD, or Ebola) is a rare serious disease in humans.
• Ebola is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by several species of viruses of the Ebola Virus genus.
• It is caused by several species of viruses of the Ebola Virus genus, which are found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The Ebola virus takes its name from the Ebola River, near one of the villages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the disease first emerged.
• Ebola is not as contagious as common viruses like the common cold, influenza or measles.
• Ebola occurs mainly in the African continent.
• The mortality rate in this disease ranges from 25 percent to 90 percent.
• Death usually results from shock due to fluid loss rather than from blood loss.

Transmission :

• It is spread to people through contact with the skin or bodily fluids of an infected animal, such as monkeys, chimpanzees or bats.
• It is transferred from one person to another in the same way.
• Ebola virus does not spread through air, water or food.
• A person who has Ebola but has no symptoms also cannot spread the disease.

symptoms :

• Symptoms of Ebola may appear 2 to 21 days after being infected with the virus.
• Its symptoms begin like flu but can progress to severe vomiting, bleeding, and neurological (brain and nerve) problems.

Treatment :

• There is currently no known treatment for Ebola.
• Its experimental vaccines and treatments are still being tested.
• Current therapy includes maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and administration of blood and plasma to control bleeding.

                                       Source: Times of India