8 Things You Should Know About The Ebola Virus

From

Ebola Likely Comes

from Bats

Fruit bats are believed to be the natural host of Ebola, though ultimately scientists

aren’t completely sure where the disease originated. Fruit bats are actually a common

food source in Guinea and governments have banned bat soup to combat the disease.

Ebola Spreads via Bodily Fluids

Ebola can spread either from animals to humans, or from humans to humans. In eithercase, it spreads via bodily fluids. Most bodily fluids— blood, mucus, semen, saliva, etc.- can spread Ebola, as can objects and surfaces that are contaminated with infectedsecretions.

Ebola canHave a

Range of Symptoms

Ebola is a brutal disease that causes everything from nausea to bleeding from all of thebody’s orifices. The first symptoms of Ebola include the sudden onset of fever, weakness,vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms typically show up 8 to 10 days after initial exposure.

Ebola is extremely deadly

During the first Ebola outbreak of 1976, the disease killed 88% of the peoplewho became infected. In the outbreak, the fatality rate has been 60%, but thisfigure could rise to 90%.

There is no vaccine for

Ebola

Although there are several vaccines currently being tested, no vaccinehas been proven to treat or prevent Ebola.

Patients with Ebola are treated with supportive therapy, which includes balancing theirfluids, maintaining their oxygen levels and blood pressure, and treating them for anycomplicating infections.

The risk for outbreak outside of West Africa is very low

With the potential for plane travel to transport a stowaway virus does seem scary, it isunlikely that an infected person who traveled from an area with Ebola on an airlinewould spread the disease to fellow passengers.

Where Can I Get more

Information?

For additional questions regarding the Ebola virus, reach out to any of our PrimaryCare Doctors, Internal Medicine Doctors, or Infectious Disease and Travel MedicineSpecialists.