Epidemiologic aspects of the Ebola Virus

Running Head : EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS

Epidemiologic Aspects of Ebola Virus

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Executive Summary

Initially , the emergence of Ebola virus occurred in Sudan and Zaire followed by subsequent cases exhibiting fatal and surviving aspects Even though many studies are conducted in to prevent the further spread of the virus , still , transmissions on human population is uncontrollable . In addition , studies conferred to the emergence of the disease has not made any declarations on the actual reservoir of the virus hence , giving

chances for future outbreaks . There are four subtypes of the virus , wherein each are named after the place where they first occurred . Because of GP viral capability , Zaire is the most contagious . Similarly , this subtype caused a major epidemic in Kikwit wherein there is less precautionary measures conducted leading to four epidemic waves in 1995 . Ebola and Marburg viruses come from the Filoviridae family . Known to be pleomorphic , both the viruses have protein nucleases and polymerase genes . These aspects make essential findings for treatment and pathogenesis . Currently , the main aspect for both vaccines and pathogenesis features is the Ebola virus GP strain Its capability ensues on the inflammatory and adaptive symptoms due to cell surface disruption . Whenever the cell surface functions abnormally its ability to initiate an immune response collapses or is directed in a way not beneficiary to human body . Specifically , Ebola GP targets endothelial cells causing hemagglutination , one aspect contributing hemorrhagic fever . Transmission of Ebola virus is through direct contact of body fluids and other specimens coming from the affected person However , there are no records of air borne transmission . At present there are no treatments for the Ebola virus . Animal models often contained the viruses for examination that will benefit studies on pathogenesis and vaccination . However , most of the researches have resulted to efficacy on nonhuman primates and rodents . In addition priming booster methods combined with gene-specific replication have manifested positive results on these animal models . Recent observations on nonhuman primates immunized once and resulted to longer protection from the virus have given hope for acute outbreaks hence , employing ring vaccination

Generally , conveying the aspects for epidemiologic studies is difficult and critical . In this kind of virus where there is no definite treatment , supportive therapy and continuous research is often the most valuable source of protection and control . Outbreaks since the discovery of the virus had been traumatic and ignored through reasons of economic constraints and unorganized prevention

Introduction

Ebola virus , known to be causing the fatal hemorrhagic fever among humans and non-human primates , is from the Filoviridae family with four types : Zapre , Sudan , Cfte d 'Ivoire and Reston (Ebola hemorrhagic fever 2007 , para 1 . Initially , Ebola virus appeared at the Ebola River in 1976 , which presently occurs among Africans for the past 27 years (Peters Khan , 1999 ,

. 85 . Probably the difficulty of this virus is that it has no known natural host , which makes it uncontrollable once it progresses . Hence , up to now , there is no possible...