Ebola

            Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease occurring in humans and nonhuman primates such as monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees. This disease was first recognized in 1976 near the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa. People can be exposed to the Ebola virus from direct contact with the blood and/or secretions of an infected person. Researchers believe that the virus is animal-borne and is usually maintained in an animal host that is native to Africa. The incubation period for Ebola hemorrhagic fever may range from two to twenty-one days. Common initial symptoms include fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, sore throat and weakness. Further onset will cause diarrhea, vomiting ans stomach pain. It is difficult to diagnose this virus within the first few days because the symptoms are nonspecific and occur in more frequent diseases. Laboratory tests for Ebola are an antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or ELISA, polymerase chain reaction, and virus isolation. Once a diagnosis is made, supportive therapy is administered. This consists of balancing the patient's fluids and electrolytes, maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure, and controlling any complicating infections. Because the natural reservoir of the Ebola virus is unknown, prevention in Africa is very challenging. Health-care facilities cause the spread of an epidemic as a result of the current poor social and economic conditions. Patients are often cared for without the use of a mask, gown or gloves. Needles and syringes used may not be disposable or sterilized, but merely rinsed off. A retrospective test using samples from patients" skin is conducted on suspected cases who have died.