User:Bridgettemora/Ebola

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Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a highly infectious and deadly viral illness that has had a devastating impact on thousands of communities. This article will provide a comprehensive overview about Ebla, including its symptoms, prevention, treatment and causes. While the worst outbreaks took place from 2010-16 Ebola is not quite off the radar. In February 2021, an outbreak was reported in in Guinea, a nation in west Africa. The outbreak was traced back to a nurse who had been infected in late January. Luckily due to past outbreaks the nation took prevention methods immediately.

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The Ebola Virus: This was first discovered in 1976 during multiple outbreaks in Sudan as well as the Democratic republic of Congo. It was named after The Ebola River in Zaire (which is now the Democratic Republic of Congo), which is where the first outbreak took place. Since then, the outbreaks have occurred mainly in West and Central Africa.

Prevention: Preventing outbreaks and controlling its spread involves a multi-faceted approach. Rapid diagnosis and isolation are crucial factors in the prevention of any further transmission. Contact tracing is another great way to prevent secondary cases. Other ways include practicing safe burials for those who were infected and their families. Lastly the development of vaccines has become one of the most powerful tools towards prevention and the spreading of the virus. Today there are disease centers, "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States. It is a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia " their main goals are primarily to protect public health.

Causes: Although the natural reservoir host remains unclear, fruit bats are considered the most like source of transmission to humans. Humans can be infected with Ebola through contact with other infected animals or other humans. This happens when there is direct contact with blood, organs or any bodily fluids of infected individuals or animals.

Symptoms: The symptoms of Ebola are flu like, they consist of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and in the worst cases it can cause internal and external bleeding. Infection typically begins with an incubation period of 2-21 days, after which the infected person begins to show symptoms. The progression of Ebola can be not only rapid but severe as well. Therefore, making isolation and early detection crucial when trying to control outbreaks.

Treatments/Recovery: While there isn't a specific treatment for Ebola, patient care primarily involves rehydration, electrolyte balnce, and really just treating the patients' specific complications. There is however a vaccine, it doesn't cure you, but it helps prevent the spread or further transmission, "Ebola disease is a rare and often deadly illness. Recovery depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient’s immune response. Studies show that survivors of an ebolavirus infection have antibodies (proteins made by the immune system that identify and neutralize invading viruses) that can be detected in the blood up to 10 years after recovery." Survivors are then said to have an immunity to that specific ebolavirus.

Ebola remains a potentially deadly disease that continues to challenge communities, healthcare systems and governments. Isolation, time detection and supportive care are critical in improving patient care. Additionally, as research advances, we continue to discover and create new medicines that can prevent and potentially be a cure. Although Ebola remains a serious public health concern, concentrated efforts worldwide can save lives.