 Ebola virus disease is a severe, infectious illness with a

death rate of up to 90%.

 It is most common in remote parts of Central

and West Africa, near tropical rainforests.
 Who is at risk?
 Health workers and the family members of infected
people are at most risk.

 People who come into contact with the

bodies of victims or infected animals have also
been known to contract the disease.
When was the disease
discovered?
 Ebola first appeared in 1976, with two outbreaks: one
near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of
Congo, and the other in a remote part of Sudan. 280
died.
What are the symptoms?

 Initially it is almost flu-like with a sudden onset of

fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, sore throat and
headache.
How does the disease develop?
 The disease goes on to cause vomiting, diarrhea, rash,
kidney and liver failure and, in some cases, both
internal and external bleeding.
How do people become infected?
 The virus is spread from animals into the human
population. This happens through close contact with
blood, secretions, organs or other
bodily fluids of infected animals.
How is the disease spread among
humans?

 Ebola can spread within the community from direct

contact with the blood, or other bodily fluids or
secretions of infected people.
What is the incubation period?

 The time from infection to onset of symptoms is

anywhere from two to 21 days. Patients are not
contagious during the incubation period, but become
contagious once symptoms begin.
What is the treatment?

 There is no known cure for Ebola. However, with

intensive support care and intravenous rehydration
some patients can recover.
What can be done to prevent
infection?
 Initially the disease is contracted through contact with
infected animals or carcasses, so avoid high risk
animals such as fruit bats, monkeys, pigs and
apes.