By JSC ASC

"You have a very dangerous virus in three of the countries in the world that are least equipped to deal with it. The scale of this outbreak has just outstripped the resources. That's why it's become so big." - Dr. Daniel Bausch, Associate Professor, Department of Tropical Medicine at Tulane University.

What is Ebola?

The Ebola virus, known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, was first identified in 1976 in Yambuku, a small rural village in Mongala District in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Zaire) where it killed 280 people (infected 318). The same year another outbreak occurred killing 151 people (infecting 284) in Nzara, South Sudan (then Sudan). Since then, there have been sporadic outbreaks of the virus in central Africa, primarily in DRC and the Republic of Congo.

The Ebola virus got its name from the site of the first known instance of the disease, the Ebola River in DRC. It is a rare and deadly disease that can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees) and is caused by infection with one of the five known identified Ebola family virus species, Filoviridaw (genus Ebolavirus).
1-Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus);
2-Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus);
3-Taï Forest virus (Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus);
4- Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus).
5- Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus), which has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans.

Although the natural reservoir host of Ebola virus is unknown, researchers believe that bats might be the most likely reservoir.

This current outbreak of Ebola is believed to be the first for West Africa and to have started in March 2014. This occurrence is believed to be the deadliest incident of the disease to date, having killed more people than all other known Ebola outbreaks combined. As of November 4, 2014, 4,960 people are reported to have died from the disease in five countries; Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and the United States. One death has been reported in Mali. There are over 13,000 people who have been infected.

Below is an aggregation of useful articles on Ebola including news, information on transmission, how to help and donate.

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Ebola information and response page
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/

 

World Health Organization

Ebola information and response page
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/

 

BBC News Ebola News

Latest news and analysis on the Ebola outbreak

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28754546

 

In 60 seconds: What is Ebola?

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the deadliest occurrence of the disease since its discovery in 1976.
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-28105531

 

Map: The Africa without Ebola

Washington Post blog by Adam Taylor with a map showing where Ebola has been detected
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/11/03/map-the-africa-without-ebola/

 

Ebola Facts: What Is Being Done to Improve Medical Treatment in Africa?

The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/31/world/africa/ebola-virus-outbreak-qa.html?_r=0

 

Doctors without Borders

Ebola information page including information on how to get involved
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/our-work/medical-issues/ebola

Published: Monday, November 10, 2014