Electron Micrograph of an Ebola Virus. Photo courtesy of Anna Almendrala, The Huffington Post
According to The Free Dictionary definition of:
Electron Micrograph- (Biology) a photograph or image of a specimen taken using an electron microscope.
By definition, Ebola virus, formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is an infectious and fatal disease that are native in Africa. Ebola occur primarily in Central and West Africa and also near tropical rainforests. Individuals with Ebola virus may suffer organ failure, severe internal and external bleeding and, in such many cases, death. Ebola virus is transmitted to human from wild animals and is spread through the transmission of human to human contact. Experts indicated that fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family is the reservoirs of the Ebola virus.
1. The History
Ebola was first identified in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1976. However, the natural reservoir for Ebola virus was still unknown.
- In 1976, Ebola was first identified in Sudan and Zaire, infecting 284 people.
- Few months later, 318 people was infected in Yambuku, Zaire.
- In 2012, 77 cases were reported and with a total of 36 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Uganda, 7 cases with Ebola and 4 deaths.
- In 2014, the largest outbreaks ever, which occur in West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone).
Map of Ebola outbreaks in Africa from 1979-2008. Photo courtesy of Zach Orecchio University of South Florida Geography Dep.
Table: Chronology of previous Ebola virus disease outbreaks
| Year | Country | Ebolavirus species | Cases | Deaths | Case fatality | |
| 2012 | Democratic Republic of Congo | Bundibugyo | 57 | 29 | 51% | |
| 2012 | Uganda | Sudan | 7 | 4 | 57% | |
| 2012 | Uganda | Sudan | 24 | 17 | 71% | |
| 2011 | Uganda | Sudan | 1 | 1 | 100% | |
| 2008 | Democratic Republic of Congo | Zaire | 32 | 14 | 44% | |
| 2007 | Uganda | Bundibugyo | 149 | 37 | 25% | |
| 2007 | Democratic Republic of Congo | Zaire | 264 | 187 | 71% | |
| 2005 | Congo | Zaire | 12 | 10 | 83% | |
| 2004 | Sudan | Sudan | 17 | 7 | 41% | |
| 2003 (Nov-Dec) | Congo | Zaire | 35 | 29 | 83% | |
| 2003 (Jan-Apr) | Congo | Zaire | 143 | 128 | 90% | |
| 2001-2002 | Congo | Zaire | 59 | 44 | 75% | |
| 2001-2002 | Gabon | Zaire | 65 | 53 | 82% | |
| 2000 | Uganda | Sudan | 425 | 224 | 53% | |
| 1996 | South Africa (ex-Gabon) | Zaire | 1 | 1 | 100% | |
| 1996 (Jul-Dec) | Gabon | Zaire | 60 | 45 | 75% | |
| 1996 (Jan-Apr) | Gabon | Zaire | 31 | 21 | 68% | |
| 1995 | Democratic Republic of Congo | Zaire | 315 | 254 | 81% | |
| 1994 | Cote d'Ivoire | Taï Forest | 1 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1994 | Gabon | Zaire | 52 | 31 | 60% | |
| 1979 | Sudan | Sudan | 34 | 22 | 65% | |
| 1977 | Democratic Republic of Congo | Zaire | 1 | 1 | 100% | |
| 1976 | Sudan | Sudan | 284 | 151 | 53% | |
| 1976 | Democratic Republic of Congo | Zaire | 318 | 280 | 88% |
Table of Ebola virus Outbreaks in Africa. Photo courtesy of WHO: World Health Organization.
2. Virology
Virus Classification
Group: Group V ((-) ssRNA)
Order: Mononegavirales
Family: Filoviridae
Genus: Ebolavirus
Type Species: Ebola virus
3. 3 Genera of Filoviridae
- Cuevavirus
- Marburgvirus
- Ebolavirus
4. 5 Identified Subspecies of Ebola virus
- Ebola virus (or Zaire ebola virus)
- Sudan ebolavirus
- Tai Forest ebolavirus (formerly as Cote o'lovire)
- Bundibugyo ebolavirus
- Reston ebolavirus
4 of the 5 have caused disease in humans, whereas, Reston ebolavirus has caused disease in nonhuman primates. Bundibugyo ebolavirus, Zaire ebolavirus, and Sudan ebolavirus have been associated with the large outbreaks in Africa, in addition, Zaire ebolavirus is responsible for the 2014 West African outbreak.
Reference:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola_virus_disease#mediaviewer/File:EbolaSubmit2.png
It was interesting to learn the etiology of Ebola was fruit bats. I’m curious if research on the Reston strain, which is prevalent in non-human primates, has been researched. Maybe the idea of retrieving the antigens from such non human primates that are infected can teach us something about the disease considering humans aren’t infect by such strains. I look forward to learning more about treatment of Ebola considering the recent development in the news about two American’s who were infected by this single stranded RNA virus. It’s interesting to see the trend of the disease seems to stay in the middle of the continent and does not spread further north or south.
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome you're researching such a relevant topic! I've been keeping up with the media's coverage of the Ebola outbreak taking place in West Africa. I didn't know that virus is native to Africa, but it makes more sense now as to why the outbreak is taking place there. I think it's interesting that the source of Ebola is still unknown, but think it's fascinating that its a specie-boundary breaking illness. I'm curious as to what it is about the rainforest that makes it an ideal environment for viral replication and growth. Do you know which strain of ebola virus is currently spreading through Africa right now? Can't wait to learn more!
ReplyDeleteNow that I understand the breakdown of the ebola virus, I can see why the media insists on keeping up with the outbreaks. What I found to be very interesting was the history of where the virus originated, as well as the mechanisms of transmission. Ebola seems to be a pretty invasive virus with no sympathy. I can't help but notice that Neil brings up a good point; why does Ebola seem to remain around the middle of Africa? Definitely interested to here more about how the ebola virus works and why it's so contagious.
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