The Ebola Virus: What’s the No. 1 Thing You Should Know?
Ebola hemorrhagic fever, a severe fever, and often deadly illness, has many concerned, especially with the World Wide Health Organization announcing that more than 900 Ebola-related deaths have been reported between March 2014 and Aug. 6, 2014.
“Fortunately it’s not a respiratory disease so you really need direct contact with the body fluid. The average person is not at risk – unless someone is vomiting on you or you’re getting direct contact with body fluids – which is why health care workers are at much higher risk.” Roshni Shetty MD, of Queen City Physicians – Western Hills, explains.
What is the Ebola Virus?
So much fear stems around the virus because it has such a high mortality rate. However, it’s important to note the human disease is limited to parts of Africa so far (with one suspected case being reported in Saudi Arabia).
Ebola is caused by a virus belonging to a family called Filoviridae. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola virus, with four being reported to cause disease in humans:
- Ebola-Zaire virus
- Ebola-Sudan virus
- Ebola-Ivory Coast virus
- Ebola-Bundibugyo
When infection occurs, symptoms usually begin abruptly. Symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure but they most often occur between eight and 10 days. Learn more about symptoms.
Want to Learn More?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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