Question

Currently in the Congo there is a serious outbreak of Ebola Viral Hemorrhagic Fever. Despite having an approved vaccine, the use is very limited due to cultural suspicions and rural access. What are the symptoms of Ebola and where was Ebola first recognized as a serious disease?

Answer 1

Ebola virus

Ebola virus is a type of rare, severe virus disease which is transmitted from animals to human, human to human transmission is also possible

It is also known as ebola hemorrhagic fever

The ebola virus causes an acute serious illness often fatal, if untreated.

Signs and symptoms

Early symptoms of ebola virus is non specific and includes

Fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, decreased appetite.

As the disease progresses the patient may experience

Rash or red spots on the skin, eye redness, hiccups, sore throat, cough, vomiting up blood , chest pain.

Discovery of ebola virus

Ebola virus was first discovered in zairre, the democratic republic of Congo near ebola river in 1976 . That is why it is named as Ebola virus.

The original outbreak was in a village named yambuku near the ebola river. 88% of the people diagnosed with ebola were died

The second outbreak occurred in Nzara, south Sudan with 151 deaths.

Ebola was first recognized as serious disease at the democratic republic of Congo.