2. Scientific Name: Ebola Virus
Filoviridae family
4 strains – Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, Ebola-Cote d’Ivoire, Ebola-Reston
Common name: Ebola
Causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever

3. Description RNA strand virus
Coiled RNA in spike-covered envelope from host cell
Long rods ( nm)
Replication = 8 hours
Therefore, spreads rapidly

4. Natural Habitat = Africa
Sudan
Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Ebola-Zaire
Sudan
Ebola-Sudan
Gabon
Ivory Coast
Ebola-Cote d’Ivoire
Uganda
Republic of the Congo (not the DRC)
Ivory Coast
Uganda
Gabon
Congo
DRC

5. Natural Reservoir Suspected to be a zoonotic (animal-borne)
However, it is unknown what organism carries it naturally without being infected
Suspected vectors
Bats
Primates (in some cases, have been confirmed)
Basically any other animal native to Africa, including mosquitoes, ticks, birds, reptiles

6. No benefits Uses: Possible terror weapon (no uses) Never normal flora in humans (it really sucks)

7. Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Transmission
Ebola-Reston has shown to be airborne
The other three strains are transmitted by contact of any kind (fluids or skin)
Target Groups
Anyone who comes in contact with an infected animal or person is at high risk of contacting the disease.
However, some people seem to have natural defenses in their immune system that allow their bodies to kill the virus. Scientists do not know exactly how this occurs.

8. Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Target Organs and Damage Methods
Target mainly small capillary vessels. Attach to walls, cause leakage of blood and serum into surrounding tissue.
When white blood cells attack the virus, they dissolve – this releases a chemical into the blood stream that signals the release of other chemicals (pro-inflammatory cytokines, pro-coagulants, and anticoagulants)
These injure blood vessels even worse, resulting in permanent bleeding.
Eventually, the entire body is leaking and dissolving

9. Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Incubation Period: Anywhere from 2-21 days
As it progresses:
Severe vomiting
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Pharyngitis
Conjunctivitis
External bleeding
Extremely high body temperature
Prostration
Symptoms:
Severe headache
Weakness
Muscle aches

10. Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Fatality Rates:
Ebola-Sudan – 60%
Ebola-Zaire – 77-88%
Ebola-Reston – Found in monkeys, has not shown to be fatal in humans
Ebola-Cote D’Ivoire – Only one human case recorded, patient survived
Not much is known about the body’s response because of the dangers of handling samples from infected patients and the short time span available for investigation.
MASS GRAVES FOR EBOLA VICTIMS

11. Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Diagnosis and Identification
Clinical Diagnosis:
-Difficult because early symptoms (red eye, skin rash) are nonspecific to virus.
-Takes a combination of many symptoms characteristic of Ebola.
Laboratory Testing/Diagnosis:
-Antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
-IgM ELISA test
-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) – a DNA test to match the DNA from the sample to known Ebola DNA
-All done within a few days of onset of symptoms

12. Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Diagnosis Continued
Advanced Stage Testing:
-Test for IgM and IgG anitbodies
Retrospective Testing:
-Immunohistochemistry testing
-Virus isolation
-PCR
(Occur after death)
Culture
Only grows in cells

13. Ebola hemorrhagic fever
THERE IS NO CURE FOR EBOLA HF
Care of Infected Persons:
-Supportive therapy -Maintain oxygen status, BP
-Balance fluids and electrolytes -Treatment of complicating infections
Experimental Treatment:
-In the Kikwit outbreak in DRC, doctors transmitted blood from survivors to sufferers, hoping to transmit whatever antibodies helped them survive.
It is unknown whether or not survivors gain immunity from infection. Doctors believe it is possible, but because of the limited ability to test this theory, it remains to be seen.

14. Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Prevention
Classified as Biosafety level 4 (greatest threat to humans)
Extensive precautions taken when dealing with suspected cases to limit transmission
Several layers of protective clothing covering entire body (up to four)
Complete equipment sterilization
Quarantine of Ebola HF patients

15. Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Future outlook
A study released in December of 2003 showed that researchers studying infected monkeys have found a way to increase survival rates
100% of infected monkeys had been dying
These were injected with rNAPc2, a factor known to inhibit blood coagulation, a characteristic of Ebola HF
33% of these monkeys survived and regained health. All untreated monkeys died.
rNAPc2 is known to be relatively safe in humans – this method is being studied further

16. Sources
“Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever.” Special Pathogens Branch: Diseases. Nov. 26, Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 3/19/04 <
Murphy, Frederick A. “Ebola Virus.” Encarta. CD-ROM. Microsoft, 2002
Russell, Brett. Ebola Information. 3/19/04 <
Col. Weeks, Byron, M.D. “Ebola – A Serious Threat.” NewsMax.com. Oct. 17, /19/04 <