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Ebola Virus: Symptoms, Transmission & Treatment

The Ebola virus is a dangerous pathogen that causes severe hemorrhagic fever disease in humans. It spreads through direct contact with infected blood or body fluids.

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Things worth knowing about "Ebola virus"

The Ebola virus is a dangerous pathogen that causes severe hemorrhagic fever disease in humans. It spreads through direct contact with infected blood or body fluids.

What is the Ebola Virus?

The Ebola virus (scientific name: Ebolavirus) is a highly infectious virus belonging to the family Filoviridae. It causes Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, a life-threatening illness in humans. The virus was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Zaire), which gave it its name. There are several species of Ebolavirus, of which the Zaire ebolavirus is considered the most dangerous and responsible for the largest outbreaks.

Causes and Transmission

The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of infected humans or animals. Fruit bats are considered the most likely natural reservoir hosts. The main routes of transmission include:

Direct contact with blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, or breast milk of infected individuals
Contact with contaminated objects such as needles or medical equipment
Zoonotic transmission: from infected wild animals (e.g., fruit bats, apes, antelopes) to humans
Sexual contact with infected or recovered individuals (the virus can persist in semen for extended periods)

Airborne transmission under normal circumstances has not been documented.

Symptoms

The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days. The illness typically begins with non-specific symptoms that rapidly worsen:

Sudden onset of high fever, severe fatigue, and dizziness
Intense headaches, muscle and joint pain
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Skin rash
In severe cases: internal and external bleeding (hemorrhagic manifestations), organ failure, and circulatory collapse

The case fatality rate varies depending on the virus strain and available medical care, ranging from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis requires specialized laboratory testing, as early symptoms resemble those of other infectious diseases. The following methods are used:

PCR test (Polymerase Chain Reaction): Detection of viral genetic material in the blood – the gold standard for diagnosis
ELISA test: Detection of antibodies against the Ebola virus
Virus isolation: Only possible in maximum-containment laboratories (Biosafety Level 4)
Clinical assessment combined with travel and contact history

Treatment

Approved treatment options for Ebola virus disease now exist:

Inmazeb (atoltivimab, maftivimab, odesivimab): A monoclonal antibody cocktail approved by the FDA in 2020 for Zaire ebolavirus
Ebanga (ansuvimab): Another monoclonal antibody approved in 2020
Supportive care: Fluid and electrolyte replacement, treatment of secondary infections, and pain management

Additionally, an approved vaccine called Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV) is available against Zaire ebolavirus. It is used during outbreaks to protect at-risk populations and healthcare workers.

Prevention and Infection Control

Since no guaranteed cure exists, prevention measures are essential:

Strict isolation of infected patients
Use of full personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare workers
Vaccination of high-risk groups and contacts
Community education in affected regions about hygiene and safe burial practices
Avoiding contact with wild animals in endemic areas

References

World Health Organization (WHO): Ebola virus disease – Fact sheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease (accessed 2024)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/ebola (accessed 2024)
Feldmann H, Geisbert TW: Ebola haemorrhagic fever. In: The Lancet, 2011; 377(9768): 849–862.

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