Key features of Ebola hemorrhagic fever: a review

• 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: Ebola virus; Ebola virus infection; Ebola hemorrhagic fever; Ebola outbreak; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.12980/APJTB.4.201414B420; https://doaj.org/article/cb1ec3d14fdc421aaf6483e72e3a7f66

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.