Ebola: Study
Scientists recently found a new way in which Ebola reproduces in the human body, identifying a potential target for drugs to prevent the viral disease.
- Ebola virus disease (EVD, or Ebola) is a rare but severe illness in humans.
- It is caused by several species of viruses from the genus Ebolavirus, that are found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
- It gets its name from the Ebola River, which is near one of the villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo where the disease first appeared.
- Ebola isn’t as contagious as more common viruses like colds, influenza, or measles.
- It spreads to people by contact with the skin or bodily fluids of an infected animal, like a monkey, chimp, or fruit bat.
- Then it moves from person to person in the same way.
- There are occasional Ebola disease outbreaks in people, occurring primarily on the African continent.
- Symptoms of Ebola can start two to 21 days after being infected by the virus.
- Symptoms start out flu-like but can progress to severe vomiting, bleeding, and neurological (brain and nerve) issues.
- There is no known treatment for Ebola, although experimental vaccines and therapeutics are being tested.
