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Very real risk of death, painful terrible death.

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Zaire Ebolavirus [1976] {CFR was ~93%, now down to ~50}

Sudan Ebolavirus [1977] {~53%}

Taï Forest Ebolavirus (formerly known as Côte d’Ivoire Ebolavirus) [1994] {CFR ~0%}

1 Patient only, severe non-fatal

Bundibugyo Ebolavirus [2008] {CFR ~30%}

Makona Ebolavirus (a new variant of what was formerly known as Zaire Ebolavirus) [2013] {CFR ~40%}

Bombali Ebolavirus [2018] *Currently being researched for pathogenicity in humans. Believed to be a credible threat thus far although no confirmed human cases. (worth an honorable mention as emerging risk)*

Natural host is commonly believed to be Pteropodidae fruit bats, however this remains unconfirmed.

CFR (Case Fatality Rate)

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Filoviridae Ebolavirus

Filoviridae is derived from Latin noun Filum (threadlike)

Ribonucleic Acid based virus

Negative stain techniques for microscopy

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We're not 100% sure...

Confirmed methods:

Contact with infected bodily fluids (blood, vomit, feces)

Contact with contaminated objects (sheets, clothes, keys)

Infected bats, non-human primates, various other wildlife consumed as food (bush meat)

Semen of men formerly infected

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Fever

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Respiratory Distress

Rash/Lesions

Conjunctival Infection

Hemorrhage (50% of cases)

Ultimately leading to:

Hypovolemic Shock

Multi-system/organ Failure

DEATH

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Ebolavirus WANTS to kill you.

There is no 1 factor more important than the others, unfortunately.

VP 35 - Inhibits phosphorylation of Kinase, which mediates cellular mediated immune responses.

VP 24 - Inhibits karyopherin, which prevents establishing an anti-viral response in host.

Glycoprotein serves to increase epithelium permeability, neutralizes antibodies, and initiates inflammatory signals.

VP(Viral Protein)

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Blood testing is the only definitive diagnosis, requiring level-4 biological controls, which can take time.

Currently real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) testing is the "gold-standard" in triage efforts. There is active research and development efforts to develop a more definitive test that can be used in the field for real-time diagnosis bypassing the level-4 measures for transport, evaluation, and testing of specimens. Also reducing the level of training required to conduct the test allowing increased testing during outbreaks (Wang, Et Al. 2023).

Obvious signs of hemorrhagic fever or related death.

Incubation period of ~7 days, death occurs 6-16 days after onset of symptoms

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Zaire ebolavirus strain:

*limited testing during 2018-2020 DRC Ebola outbreak with positive correlation of survival

Inmazeb FDA approved in October 2020

Ebanga FDA approved in December 2020

Both treatment options are monoclonal antibody proteins that limit or stop virus replication in humans. only stops reproduction, if not given early the treatment is ineffective.

All other ebolavirus strains:

Thoughts & Prayers

Supportive care providing adequate hydration, comfort from pain, and treating other conditions that may arise are the best options available for all strains known to cause illness in humans.

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After recovery from EHF male sperm remains viable for spread for indefinite periods. In some cases sperm can return to non-transmissible status.

After recovery from EHF the female placenta remains viable for spread to mother & offspring and healthcare workers involved in delivery. Typically this is only seen in cases involving pregnant patients, however this has been observed occurring later in life. There is no evidence to suggest a female can spread the disease through sexual intercourse after recovery (Gao, Et Al. 2023).

The inner eye remains indefinitely viable for transmission after recovery from EHF (Gao, Et Al. 2023).

Other Considerations (Gao, Et Al. 2023):

arthralgia (joint pain)

cognitive impairment (confusion & headache)

hearing loss

myalgia (muscular pain)

Vision degradation/loss

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Don't touch anything without PPE:

Positive pressure body suits are preferred.

Disposable foot, hand, eye, and head protection

Don't touch the dead (a common tradition in different parts of Africa at risk of Ebola)

SANITIZE, ASEPTIC TECHNIQUES, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

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Originally observed in the tropical regions of central Africa.

Worst outbreak recorded occurred in the West African Region across 3 countries (Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone). [~29,000 cases suspected, confirmed, or probable with ~11,000 deaths]

Isolated cases elsewhere, including: USA, Italy, Russia, Philippines, Spain, and UK.

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Public enemy #1 if spread exceeds initial containment efforts. Outbreaks are continuously monitored through surveillance and reporting efforts. Efforts are coordinated by multiple health agencies/organizations, multiple countries (including those that may be "enemies" (Ex: USA & Russia), and countless volunteer organizations.

Replication occurs through budding.

Loves injecting itself into macrophages and dendritic cells during initial incubation.

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Massive over production of the following: IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MCP-1, M-CSF, IP-10, IL-1RA, IL-10, sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII. Put simply, it shuts down your immune systems viral response and causes your organs & epithelium to swell from inflammatory signal overload.

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Picture:

American Association for Respiratory Care

Disease & Outbreak Data:

https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/index.html

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease

https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/about.html

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/ebola

Scholarly Resources:

Wang, Z., Bennett, R. S., Roehler, M., Guillon, G., Fischl, M. J., Donadi, M. C., . . . Berry, J. D. (2023). Development and clinical evaluation of a rapid point of care test for ebola virus infection in humans. Viruses, 15(2), 336. (doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/v15020336)

Gao, J., Guo, Z., Li, W., Zhang, X., Zhang, X.-E., & Cui, Z. (2023). Ebola virus disrupts the inner blood-retinal barrier by induction of vascular endothelial growth factor in pericytes. PLoS Pathogens, 19(1), e1011077. (https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A737319608/SCIC?u=txshracd2560&sid=bookmark-SCIC&xid=8d213411)