The Ebola virus disease, which started in the African continent and has terrified the whole world, is a very serious hemorrhagic fever that causes the death of 50% to 90% of those infected. Here are the main reasons behind this deadly disease, which spreads rapidly from animals to humans and then from humans to humans:
Filoviridae virus family: Ebola disease is caused by Ebola viruses belonging to the ‘Filoviridae’ family. There are five different species of viruses in this. Of these, ‘Zaire ebolavirus’ causes the most severe disease and mortality in humans. This virus directly attacks the body’s immune cells and blood vessels.
Fruit bats (Natural Reservoir): The main source of the Ebola virus in nature is fruit bats. Although these bats carry the virus, they do not get sick. However, the virus can be transmitted to other animals and humans through fruits bitten by these bats or through their secretions.
Zoonotic Transmission: Wild animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, and porcupines living in forests can become infected from bats. The virus first spreads to humans through hunting such infected wild animals and handling and eating their bushmeat.
Human-to-Human Spread: The disease is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids (blood, sweat, saliva, urine, vomit, feces, and semen) from a person with Ebola. The virus enters the body of a new person through small breaks in the patient’s skin or through the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and eyes.
Patient Care and Burial: Healthcare workers and family members who care for Ebola patients without adequate protective equipment (PPE Kit) are at high risk of becoming infected. In addition, the presence of the virus in the bodies of people who have died from Ebola is very high. The disease is spread largely through touching and washing the body as part of traditional funeral rituals in African countries.
