Emerging viral diseases: Ebola hemmorrhagic fever

Abstract

Ebola hemorrhagic fever disease affects humans and primates; and is produced by five ebola virus of the Filoviridae family: Zaire virus, Sudan, Bundibugyo, Ivory Coast (Taï forest virus) and Reston. The disease has a high mortality rate, ranging from 25% to 90% of those infected with the virus. During 2014, more than 10,000 suspected cases and numerous deaths have been reported.The virus can be acquired by coming into contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected human or other animal. The symptoms begin 2 to 21 days after contracting the virus, with fever, sore throat, muscle pain and headaches. They are followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, impaired liver and kidney function and subsequently, bleeding.Outbreak control requires community participation, case management, surveillance and follow-up of contacts, appropriate laboratory services and adequate treatment of remains through cremation or burial. There is no specific treatment for the disease. In laboratories where, diagnostic tests are carried out, level 4 containment biosecurity is required. Forced isolation (or quarantine) and contact tracking are considered important to contain an outbreak.