Heres the scoop on ebola and a bunch more. I'm still looking for the article.

The Ebola Virus and other hemorrhagic fevers

Ebola and other Hemorrhagic Fevers provoke bleeding and fever but rarely provoke major epidemics. They are, however, responsible for local outbreaks which may be fatal. All of the following belong to the family of Hemorrhagic Fevers: Yellow Fever Dengue Fever, Ebola, Lassa, Marburg, Rift Valley, Hanta and Congo Crimea Fever.

What are they and where do they come from?

Hemorrhagic Fevers are all caused by one of more than 12 viruses. Their usual hosts are insects (mosquitoes or ticks) and in some cases rodents. It seems that for some of these Hemorrhagic Fevers, small or large mammals can be host to the infectious virus. These diseases overall, are rather rare in man, with the exception of Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever.

What are their symptoms?

Hemorrhagic Fevers have many things in common.

Their incubation period varies between 2 and 20 days. Flu-type symptoms are typical, such as fever, headaches, muscle and joint pains, often accompanied by a sore throat. In some cases vomiting and diarrhea may appear. In certain severe Hemorrhagic Fevers such as Ebola, the liver and kidneys are severely impaired and the blood no longer coagulates provoking severe internal and external bleeding and usually leading to death. There is no specific treatment for any of the known Hemorrhagic Fevers. Only an intensive symptomatic treatment accompanied by rehydration and transfusions can in some cases save the patient.

What are the preventive measures?

With the exception of Yellow Fever, there is no vaccination for any of the other Hemorrhagic Fevers. Prevention of Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever are also based on insect bite prevention: bed net, clothing, repellents, etc.

For those Hemorrhagic Fevers, such as Ebola, during local epidemics, preventive measures are based on isolation of the victims. Since only direct contact with body secretions of contaminated people can transmit the disease, it is necessary to:

avoid unnecessary travel/ business to regions where epidemics are in progress. avoid contact with monkeys and animals in general while traveling. avoid sexual encounters. avoid going to medical centers or hospitals where the risk is high. avoid all invasive medical procedures performed locally. Avoid ALL non-sterile needles and syringes as well as ALL non-urgent surgery, dental care, etc.

What are the different hemorrhagic fevers?

EBOLA FEVER

Known since 1976, Ebola Fever has reappeared more than 10 times in the last 20 years and continues to reappear every so often in Gabon, Zaire and other African countries. The first cases were contracted when men ate contaminated monkey meat. The disease is named after the Ebola river, in Zaire, near where it was first discovered.

Due to a filovirus, Ebola Fever is usually fatal (50 to 90% of all cases). Affecting monkeys, apes (maybe other animals) and rarely man, there seem to be at least 4 different strains of the virus. The incubation period can be anywhere from 2 to 21 days.

It is transmitted by CLOSE contact with an infected person. Hospital workers and family members are most at risk. Blood and other body fluids contain the virus (urine, sweat, vomit, semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, etc.). There does not seem to be an airborne transmission of the disease.

Symptoms are identical to other Hemorrhagic Fevers with flu-like symptoms and death appearing in most cases after severe internal and external bleeding, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

Prevention is simple. Avoid people who have the disease !!! Avoid therefore their body fluids-blood, feces, urine, vomit, sweat, etc. As with most other Hemorrhagic Fevers there is no specific treatment and no vaccination.

No one knows why this disease, like many other Hemorrhagic Fevers, appears every so often in localized epidemics and then disappears for months or years at a time.

YELLOW FEVER AND DENGUE FEVER

Both are transmitted to man by a mosquito. There is an effective preventive vaccination only against Yellow Fever, however researchers are not far from finding a protective vaccine against Dengue Fever. Each year, thousands of people contract both diseases in the world's tropical regions and many die.

MARBURG FEVER

Also called "green monkey disease", Marburg Fever is clinically quite close to Ebola Fever, and has appeared every so often in man in Zimbabwe, Uganda and Kenya since 1967.

LASSA FEVER

First discovered in the late 1960's, Lassa Fever provokes as many as 20,000 deaths each year in central, south-east and western Africa. Initially carried by rodents, man is contaminated when he comes into contact with a contaminated rodent's excrement. Lassa Fever kills 15 to 20% of those who have been contaminated.

HANTAAN VIRUS

This rare viral disease is also transmitted by rodents. There have been a few cases reported recently in Argentina. A little while back, this disease was reported among the Navajo population of Arizona, USA.

RIFT VALLEY FEVER

Found in sub-Saharan Africa and transmitted by a mosquito, this disease is common during the rainy season.

CRIMEA CONGO FEVER

Another rare, viral disease, transmitted by a tick, Crimea Congo Fever has recently been reported in South Africa, but is often observed in parts of Africa as well as the Middle East, CIS and China.

In Conclusion

Hemorrhagic Fevers have a great deal in common. Caused by a virus, provoking various degrees of fever and bleeding, they can in certain severe forms such as Ebola Fever, provoke a large percentage of fatal cases. Do not forget that these diseases are relatively rare on a worldwide scale but can be responsible for severe local and intermittent epidemics, particularly in Africa. This has been the case in 1995 (Zaire) and 1996 (Gabon). No panic ! A few simple rules will prevent these diseases and keep you healthy.

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