Notes for Ebola

Question 1

Ebola Name

Answer 1

Ebola, according to WHO, is known for many names. Its scientific name, Zaire ebolavirus; abbreviation, EVD; Ebola haemorrhagic fever; and of course, Ebola.

Question 2

Fatality Rate

Answer 2

Based on studies produced by WHO, Ebola’s fatality rate is 50%, ranging anywhere from a 25 to 90% fatality in past outbreaks of the disease.

Question 3

Comment

Answer 3

Professionals at WHO say that “Community engagement is the key to controlling outbreaks.”

Question 4

Vaccines

Answer 4

Like all outbreaks, including the recent Covid-19 outbreak, the best way to protect the community and yourself is to get vaccinated. This includes Ebola who’s vaccine started becoming manufactured in 2019.

Question 5

Origins

Answer 5

Ebola first reared its ugly head in 1976 in the countries of both DRC and South Sudan. The outbreak originating in DRC was first found in a little town along the Ebola river, hence the disease’s name.

Question 6

Outbreak

Answer 6

The outbreaks in 1976 were the largest until 2014 in West Africa

Question 7

Genus

Answer 7

Ebola consists of 3 types of genus including Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Taï Forest, Reston, and Bombali.

Question 8

Transmission

Answer 8

It is believed by scientists around the world that fruit bats are the origin of the Ebola virus.

Question 9

Transmission

Answer 9

Ebola is spread through bodily fluids including urine, vomit, feces, and blood.

Question 10

Transmission

Answer 10

According to the CDC, burial ceremonies results in a high likelihood of contracting Ebola.

Question 11

Burial Ceremonies

Answer 11

Ebola after the first few cases, was mainly spread through burial ceremonies. The ceremonies include touching and washing the body. This was a vicious cycle of washing the dead, getting sick, then washing those dead, then getting sick from those.

Question 12

Genus

Answer 12

Only four of the six have caused disease in people. Reston virus for example cannot affect people, but pigs become very ill.

Question 13

Transmission

Answer 13

Even is someone has recovered the CDC says that, “People can get the virus through sexual contact with someone who is sick with or has recovered from EVD. The virus can persist in certain body fluids, like semen, after recovery from the illness.”

Question 14

United States

Answer 14

The United States has only seen 4 cases in the country. (Medline)

Question 15

Transmission

Answer 15

While the outbreak of Covid-19 is spread through air droplets, there is no evidence that Ebola is spread through the air.

Question 16

Transmission

Answer 16

One of the deadliest aspects of Covid-19 is the incubation period which can be as high has 2 weeks. Unlike Covid-19, a person effected with Ebola cannot spread the disease if they are not showing symptoms.

Question 17

Symptoms

Answer 17

The early symptoms according to MedlinePlus, includes Fever greater than 101.5°F,Chills, Severe headache, Sore throat, Muscle pain, Weakness, Fatigue, Rash, Abdominal (stomach) pain, Diarrhea, and Vomiting.

Question 18

Symptoms

Answer 18

The latest symptoms of Ebola include; Bleeding from the mouth and rectum, Bleeding from eyes, ears, and nose, and lastly Organ failure.

Question 19

Symptoms

Answer 19

If exposed to Ebola, MedlinePlus says that “A person who does not have symptoms 21 days after being exposed to Ebola will not develop the disease.”

Question 20

Stayin Alive

Answer 20

While interviewing Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, HuffPost discovered that the disease can live outside of a host for up to a few days in room temperature.

Question 21

Virus

Answer 21

Viruses like Ebola are not alive because they cannot replicate without the help of a host cell.

Question 22

Virus

Answer 22

Viruses like the Ebola Virus have genetic material called RNA, unlike species that are alive including animals and plants, who have DNA.

Question 23

Infecting Cells

Answer 23

Because Ebola needs a host cell to replicate it takes advantage of a cell process called macropinocytosis. This is a process in which a cell gulps up anything on the surface, which may include Ebola. (Harvard)

Question 24

RNA

Answer 24

Instructions for how to build more virus

Question 25

Huffpost DNA Quote

Answer 25

"”Then it comes bursting out of our cells and produces this protein that wreaks havoc,” Bhadelia explained. The protein is called ebolavirus glycoprotein, and attaches to the cells on the inside of the blood vessels. This increases permeability of the blood vessels – leading to blood leaking out of the vessels. “The virus causes derangement in the body’s ability to coagulate and thicken the blood,” she said. Even people who don’t show hemorrhagic symptoms will experience this leaking of blood from the vessels – which can eventually lead to shock and, ultimately, death.” (Huffpost)

Question 26

Natural Defenses

Answer 26

Ebola is particularly deadly because it can hijack immune cells and use them to travel to different parts of the body which it then infect. (Huffpost)

Question 27

Explosion

Answer 27

When cells are infected with Ebola the cell will eventually die by essentially exploding in the body and the virus is spread more throughout the infected’s body.

Question 28

Explosion

Answer 28

Because of all the exploding a chemical is released that causes inflamed symptoms, which causes the flu-like symptoms in the body. (Huffpost)

Question 29

Days 1-3

Answer 29

According to Dr. Bhadelia at Boston University, the first 3 days include flu-like symptoms and exhaustion

Question 30

Days 4-7

Answer 30

Days 4-7 include vomitting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, headaches, and anemia.

Question 31

Days 7-10

Answer 31

Internal and external bleeding which all lead to coma, shock, and death.

Question 32

Shock

Answer 32

“People who die from infection with Ebola virus usually end up dying from multi-organ failure and shock. “The shock is from the bleeding – now you’re bleeding in different parts of your body, and the blood is leaking out of your blood vessels,” Bhadelia explained. “Even if [you don’t have] the hemorrhagic features, you’re still leaking blood.”“(Huffpost)

Question 33

Vaccine

Answer 33

A vaccine was developed on Dec 19, 2019 (CDC)