The deadliest Ebola outbreak in recorded history is happening right now. The outbreak is unprecedented both in infection numbers and in geographic scope. And so far, it's been a long battle that doesn't appear to be slowing down.The Ebola virus infecting and killing people in West Africa is the worst recorded outbreak, according to the World Health Organization
Ebola is both rare and very deadly. Since the first outbreak in 1976, Ebola viruses have infected thousands of people and killed roughly 60 percent of them. Symptoms can come on very quickly and kill fast:
The Ebola virus has now hit four countries: Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Nigeria.
The virus — which starts off with flu-like symptoms and often ends with horrific hemorrhaging — has infected about 1,800 people and killed more than 1,000 since this winter, according to estimates on August 11 from the World Health Organization
What are the symptoms?
Initial symptoms include fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. These symptoms are followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and sometimes internal and external bleeding, according to WHO.
Symptoms usually appear 8-10 days after infection, WHO says lab tests of contaminated individuals find low white blood cell and platelet counts.
How does the virus spread?
The virus is transmitted from wild animals to humans. Humans spread the virus through contact with blood or other body fluids sucha as blood, sweet, saliva,semen or other body discharges of an infected person, as well as exposure to objects like contaminated needles, according to the CDC.
Ebola tends to come and go over time. The viruses are constantly circulating in animals, most likely bats. Every once in a while, the disease spills over into humans, often when someone handles or eats undercooked or raw meat from a diseased ape, monkey, or bat. An outbreak can then happen for several months. And then it becomes quiet again.
Ebola can completely disappear from humans for years at a time. For example, there were zero recorded cases of Ebola in 2005 or 2006.
People most at risk include health workers and family members or others who are in contact with the infected people, according to WHO.
What is the treatment?
Currently, there is no vaccine. Treatment consists only of "supportive therapy," according to the CDC. There are several vaccines being tested. None are available for clinical use.
How deadly is Ebola?
In past outbreaks, up to 90% of humans who contract the virus have died. WHO describes Ebola as "one of the world's most virulent diseases."
How can Ebola be prevented?
It's unknown what the natural host for Ebola is, but it's believed to be the fruit bat. If an outbreak among animals is suspected, the best practice is to quarantine the animals, cull the infected animals and bury or incinerate the carcasses, according to WHO.
How hard is it to catch Ebola?
Ebola doesn't tend to hang out in the air like some other viruses, such as measles, SARS, or some kinds of the flu.People contract Ebola by touching the blood or bodily fluids (including sweat, urine, and semen) of a person or animal who's infected (alive or dead). People can also catch it through indirect contact with victims' fluids, such as via bedding or medical equipment.
People generally aren't infectious until they get sick.
Ebola's limited transmission ability is one of the main reasons why outbreaks can often be stopped within weeks or months. What it takes is public education and good health-care hygiene like isolating patients, sterilization procedures, and the use of gloves, masks, and other protective gear.
Protect Yourself:
1. Wash your hands with soap. Do this a lot, you can also use a good hand sanitizer. Avoid unnecessary contact with people
2. Disinfect your surroundings and fumigate your environment and dispose off the carcasses properly
3. Dead bodies can still transmit Ebola, don't touch them without protective gear
4. Protect yourself and use protective gear if you must care or go near someone you suspect has Ebola
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