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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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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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