An Overview Of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

Ebola virus disease (EVD), more commonly referred to as Ebola, is a rare and severe illness that can often be fatal. On average EVD fatalities is a result of fifty percent of all cases. However, case fatality rates range between twenty-five and ninety percent in previous outbreaks of EVD. The first recorded breakout of EVD was during 1976 in a village near the Ebola River, which is where the disease dawned the name ‘ebola virus disease.’ But the most recent outbreak throughout 2014 and 2016 was the most substantial and complicated outbreak since the initial discovery of the disease.

The Causes And Transmission Of EVD

Ebola was originally introduced to humans through close contact with blood, secretions, and other bodily fluids of infected animals like antelope, chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, and porcupines in the rainforest. Then, it is transmitted from human to human through direct contact of broken skin, blood, secretions, and other bodily fluids of infected people, as well as through coming into contact with surfaces and objects contaminated by the fluids.

More research is needed to determine whether or not EVD can be contracted through sexual transmission. However, due to the transmission being through bodily fluids, it is speculated it could be a sexually transmitted disease.

Now that you know the causes and ways EVD can be transmitted, continue reading to learn about the signs and symptoms.