Read the following article about Ebola virus and then answer the questions on the
opposite page.
Ebola virus disease: Know all about the fatal illness
What is Ebola haemorrhagic fever?
Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola haemorrhagic fever is a severe and often deadly illness in
humans, caused by the Ebola virus. The disease has high mortality rate, killing up to 90% of people
who are infected.
The ongoing 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak is considered to be the largest and longest outbreak
ever recorded of Ebola, killing at least 932 people and infecting more than 1,700 till date since
March in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria and Liberia.
Hence, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 8 August, 2014 declared the killer Ebola epidemic
ravaging parts of West Africa an international health emergency.
Causes
EVD is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. While there are
five identified sub-species of Ebolavirus, four viruses cause
disease in humans. They are Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), Ebola
virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), Taï Forest virus (TAFV).
The fifth virus, Reston virus (RESTV), is not considered to be
disease-causing in humans.
According to WHO, EVD first appeared in 1976 in two
simultaneous outbreaks, in Nzara, Sudan, and in Yambuku,
Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter was in a village situated near the Ebola River from which
the disease takes its name.
How does it spread?
It is still unclear how Ebola spreads. However, it is believed that the first pateint becomes infected
through contact with an infected animal's body fluids.
Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with blood, organs or other body
fluids of infected people or exposure to objects such as needles and syringes that have been
contaminated with infected secretions.
Ebola can also be transmitted from men who have recovered from the disease through semen as it
is infectious for up to 7 weeks. Infected dead bodies can spread Ebola as they are still infectious. So
mourners who have direct contact with the body of deceased person can also get the disease.
Who is most at risk?
Health-care workers who do not wear appropriate protective clothing and family members who are in
close contact with infected people or deceased patients.
Signs and symptoms:
Symptoms may occur between 2 and 21 days after contracting the infection. Common signs of
Ebola include:
Fever, Headache, Muscle, abdominal and joint pain, Sore throat, Weakness, Diarrhea, Vomit or
cough up blood, Chest pain, Difficulty in breathing and swallowing, Rash, Hiccups, Bleeding inside
and outside the body
Prevention
Currently there is no vaccine available for humans. But the infection can be controlled through the
use of recommended protective measures such as:
Avoid contacting infected blood or secretions, including from those who are dead. Using standard
precautions for all patients in the healthcare setting. Sterilizing equipment, and wearing protective
clothing including masks, gloves, gowns and goggles. Washing your hands with soaps or
detergents. Disinfecting your surroundings. Isolate people who have Ebola symptoms. Culling of
infected animals, with close supervision of burial or incineration of carcasses.
Yet, not travelling to the areas or countries where the virus is found is the best way to avoid Ebola.
Source: Zee News S12082014
1. Answer the following questions.
(a) What is Ebola haemorrhagic fever?
____________________________________________________________________________
(b) What is the fatality rate of the present outbreak?
____________________________________________________________________________
(c) Why has the WHO declared the present Ebola outbreak an international emergency?
____________________________________________________________________________
(d) What causes Ebola Virus Disease?
____________________________________________________________________________
(e) Name two viruses that cause Ebola disease?
____________________________________________________________________________
(f) How has the virus got its name ‘Ebola’?
____________________________________________________________________________
(g) Apart from contact with an infected animal’s body fluids, in what other ways the Ebola virus
spreads? Give two details.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(h) Who are most likely to be infected?
____________________________________________________________________________
(i) Give three symptoms of Ebola virus disease.
____________________________________________________________________________
(j) Mention four ways by which Ebola disease can be prevented.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. You are going to give a speech to a group about Ebola virus. Using the information in the
article, write notes for your speech. Make two short notes under each heading.
Causes for the spread of Ebola virus
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Symptoms of Ebola virus disease
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Preventive measures
_____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
4. Write a summary about the ways Ebola spreads, its symptoms and how it can be prevented.
Your summary should be no more than 100 words. Use your own words as far as possible.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
