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OVERVIEW

What is Ebola virus disease?

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a rare but serious disease caused by infection with the Ebola virus. There are five known strains of the virus. Four of them affect people. One affects only nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees) and pigs.

EVD was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire).  In 2014, large outbreaks occurred in the West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. EVD is still an ongoing situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with reoccurring outbreaks.

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of Ebola virus disease?

Symptoms usually appear 8 to 10 days after a person is infected with the Ebola virus. The virus cannot be spread to another person until symptoms appear.

Early symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Weakness

Later symptoms can include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Unexplained bleeding (for example, a bloody nose, bloodshot eyes, or bloody diarrhea) or bruising

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

What causes Ebola virus disease?

EVD is caused by the Ebola virus. Its origin or how it started is unknown. Scientists believe that it is animal-borne and most likely comes from bats, which transmit the Ebola virus to other animals and humans. There is no proof that mosquitos or other insects can transmit the virus. Once infected, a person can spread the virus to other people.

The Ebola virus is not as contagious as common viruses, such as colds or the flu. It is not spread through air, water, or food. The Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with:

• Blood of a person infected with the Ebola virus
• Body fluids (for example, breast milk, stool, saliva, semen, sweat, urine, or vomit) of a person infected with the Ebola virus
• Objects (for example, needles or syringes) that have been contaminated with the Ebola virus
• Animals, such as bats and primates, that are infected with the virus

Direct contact means that a person’s eyes, mouth, nose, or broken skin touches a contaminated object, or infected blood or body fluids. Broken skin may be a cut, scratch, scrape, or open wound.

For most people, the risk of being infected with the Ebola virus is extremely low. The risk is increased if you:

• Travel to an area where Ebola virus outbreaks have occurred
• Help take care of someone infected with the Ebola virus
• Have direct contact with the dead body of a person infected with the Ebola virus. An infected body can still spread the virus.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

How is Ebola virus disease diagnosed?

Tell your healthcare provider about your symptoms and risk factors (for example, all recent travel). You must have symptoms of EVD and have had possible exposure to EVD in order to be diagnosed with it. Your healthcare provider can do a blood test to confirm if you have been infected.

If you are diagnosed with EVD, you will be put in isolation right away to prevent the virus from spreading.

PREVENTION

A vaccine made in Canada is being used to treat Ebola outbreaks.  Studies suggest that the yet to be licensed vaccine could prevent Ebola infection when used before and also immediately after exposure to the Ebola virus.  Frontline healthcare workers and other persons with potential exposure to Ebola virus disease including but not limited to laboratory workers, surveillance teams and people responsible for safe and dignified burials – will also receive the vaccine.

How can I keep the Ebola virus from spreading?

You can prevent the spread of the Ebola virus by doing the following:

• Avoid traveling to areas where there is an increased risk of getting Ebola virus disease.
• Do not touch the blood or body fluids of a person who may be infected with the Ebola virus.
• Do not touch the body of a person who has died from Ebola virus disease.
• Do not touch items that may have been contaminated by the Ebola virus.

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are at increased risk of being infected and you develop any of the symptoms of Ebola virus disease. Tell your healthcare provider about your symptoms and your risk factors (for example, all recent travel). Avoid contact with other people until you get medical care.

TREATMENT

How is Ebola virus disease treated?

There is currently no medicine available to treat Ebola virus disease. Some experimental medicines are being tested.

The main goal of treatment is to manage symptoms.  Options include:

• Getting fluids to prevent dehydration
• Regulating and replacing salts and other chemicals in the body
• Maintaining blood pressure
• Getting oxygen
• Treating other infections

Close supervision and care by health care professionals is very important. A patient with Ebola virus disease may need intensive care unit (ICU) services.

Living with Ebola virus disease

Overall, EVD leads to death in about half of people who become infected. People who recover from EVD may still be contagious. The Ebola virus can remain in certain body fluids for some time. For example, men can spread the virus through their semen for up to 3 months after their symptoms first appear. They should not have sex, including oral sex, during this time. The virus also can remain in breast milk, amniotic fluid, eye fluid, and spinal column fluid.

Ebola survivors may have lasting side effects from the virus. These could include fatigue, muscle aches, stomach pain, and eye problems