Key features of Ebola hemorrhagic fever: a review

The current outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa has become a devastating problem, with a mortality rate around 51%; over 3 132 deaths have been confirmed and even more are expected in this case. The virus causes a characteristic disease known as hemorrhagic fever. Its symptoms range from nonspeci...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine
Main Author: Zulane Lima Sousa
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.12980/APJTB.4.201414B420
https://doaj.org/article/cb1ec3d14fdc421aaf6483e72e3a7f66
Description
Summary:The current outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa has become a devastating problem, with a mortality rate around 51%; over 3 132 deaths have been confirmed and even more are expected in this case. The virus causes a characteristic disease known as hemorrhagic fever. Its symptoms range from nonspecific signs such as fever, to more specific problems such as serious bleeding. Transmission occurs easily when a person comes in contact with contaminated fluids. Treatment is supportive because there are still no specific drugs for use. The present review focuses on the main features related to the Ebola virus, its transmission, pathogenesis, treatment and control forms. There is little in-depth knowledge about this disease, but its severity requires attention and information to prevent a worse scenario than the current.