Where did the Ebola virus come from? In 1976 he was discovered in Zaire, and he got his “name” by the name of the local river. It is part of a family of filoviruses that can cause hemorrhagic fever. Several serious epidemics have already passed with his participation.
Virus classification
Discovered, as already written above, the Ebola virus in Africa. It is divided into five different species, of which only four can affect a person.
- EBOV - Considered to be typical and causing the largest number of outbreaks of the disease. It is the most dangerous, has a maximum percentage of deaths, which reaches from 80 to 90%. Where did the Ebola virus come from? The first outbreak was recorded in 1976 in Yambuku. Symptoms of the disease are the same as with malaria. Doctors believe that the virus has spread due to the repeated use of unsterilized needles, with the introduction of injections.
- SUDV - this strain was detected simultaneously with Zaire. The first epidemic began at a factory in the Sudanese city of Nzara. The carrier was not identified, but managed to test for the presence of the virus. The last outbreak was recorded in Uganda in 2013. The mortality rate was 53%.
- TAFV - also found in Africa. Initially, only chimpanzees died of it, but later on, people caught the fever. One of the first cases was a female doctor who performed an autopsy on animals. Her symptoms appeared only after a week. The woman was taken to a Swiss clinic, and after 6 weeks they were able to put her on her feet.
- BDBV - turned out to be the fourth Ebola virus, which is dangerous for humans. Found him in Bundibugio. The epidemic lasted in Uganda from 2007 to 2008. The last outbreak was in 2012, fatalities accounted for 36%.
- RESTV is the fifth type of virus, but it is not dangerous for humans.
Ebola virus. Where did it come from and how?
Scientists have not yet fully figured out where Ebola came from. But bats could also carry it, if it was present in their digestive tract. It is highly likely that the virus is transmitted through the intestinal system. The very first people who became infected were most likely hunters, and fever entered their bodies when they ate sick animals. The carriers could well be not only bats, but also pigs. And even dogs are not excluded from the list of possible carriers. The first wave of the epidemic killed 151 people out of 284 patients.
Fever symptoms
And again, the Ebola virus, whose history began in the last century, is rampant on the planet. After it enters the human body, it may take up to 21 days before the first symptoms appear. The disease begins like a common cold. The first symptoms: headache, pain in the abdomen, fever. And quite high. Then vomiting and diarrhea begin. The body is dehydrated, kidneys and liver begin to fail, and everything ends with internal hemorrhage.
Some patients develop a “cytokine storm” - when it is not possible to regulate the immune system, and excess cells do not bring benefits, but harm. And not only to all organs, but also to tissues. Often the case is fatal.
There are many diseases whose symptoms are very similar to the Ebola virus. Therefore, a blood test is simply necessary. This should be done in order to exclude hepatitis, malaria, cholera, meningitis and others.
How to treat a disease
Where the Ebola virus came from is not known for certain (it was artificially created or formed in nature). So far, no specific medicine has been invented against him. All that doctors can do so far is simply to support the body's activity with antibiotics. An intravenous fluid supply is also used, which prevents dehydration. To reduce the effects of fever, bring down the fever. To eliminate pain, pain medications are used. At the same time, pressure and oxygen levels are constantly monitored. Until a vaccine has been invented , these are the only ways to try to save a person from death.
Forecasts
Unfortunately, the mortality rate is still quite high, and it is rather difficult to make optimistic plans without the necessary vaccine. Doctors approach each patient individually, and their immunity is different. In general, the prognosis depends on the cause of the disease, the availability of medical care, the speed of doctors in determining the diagnosis.
In most cases, those who quickly make an accurate diagnosis survive. But it is quite difficult for doctors to do this, since the symptoms can be suitable for many diseases.
Virus spread
Where did the Ebola virus come from? It is safe to answer that its origins come from Africa. By the way, sperm is also a carrier of the virus. This ailment is unique in that even after the death of the carrier, it remains active. Therefore, during the burial of the deceased, one should be very careful and accurate.
Where did the Ebola virus come from? New flash
Now this fever is rampant in Guinea. From there she penetrated into Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The origin of the Ebola virus is now almost impossible to establish. With the onset of fever, mortality was over 50% immediately. Ebola virus in Africa first affected 4 countries and is now slowly spreading throughout the mainland. The first infected appear in Europe and America. This flash
considered the largest after the birth of this fever.
Ebola virus - a biological weapon?
It is believed that this virus was discovered a long time ago. Or even specially created artificially. And perhaps it is the Americans. His research continues for a long time. The first experimental vaccine has already been sent to sick doctors who wish to test it on themselves. There is an opinion that the virus was developed as a biological weapon. So who created the Ebola virus? And for what purpose? The answers are still unknown, but there is a chance that it is artificially reproduced. It can easily be used as a biological weapon, and the vaccine, which will be created in the future, will cost a huge amount. And this is a great enrichment opportunity for its creators and distributors. This fever is compared with a plague that has hit the whole world. But if you follow all the precautions, you can still avoid infection.
How to protect yourself from the virus
Initially, you need to try to avoid any contact with patients, not to visit those countries (mainly African) where Ebola is rampant. If you need to make a trip, then after each contact with the local population it is best to wash your hands with soap. We must try not to touch their nose, mouth and eyes. If the slightest disturbing symptoms appear after communicating with the locals, it is necessary to isolate yourself from others, put on a gauze mask and immediately consult a doctor.
Where does the Ebola virus live?
This fever is one of the worst on the planet. And precisely because a successful vaccine has not yet been bred against it. Its action can last for weeks, but in the end in 90% of cases a fatal outcome awaits.
Where does the Ebola virus come from? This African virus "lives" in monkeys and rodents, which are ideal carriers for it. Bats are also dangerous. It is precisely those states in which such carriers of fever are absent that have so far the greatest chances to delay the large-scale appearance of the disease. What cannot be said about Africa, where monkeys and bats live in abundance.
When Ebola enters the territory of any country, the main thing is to exclude the conditions for its optimal development. Sanitary measures and good hygiene should be taken to avoid accidental infection.
The virus has not yet reached Russia. But the population also does not hurt to take all precautions. It must be remembered that it is not transmitted by airborne droplets. You can get infected only through close contact with the patient - through blood, saliva, sexual contact, etc. The Ministry of Health does not recommend Russians to visit African countries in the coming year . And all arrivals from there must undergo a medical examination.