Current Status of the Biology, Pathogenesis, and Impacts of Ebola Virus

Abstract

Ebola viruses (EV) are single-stranded negative-sense RNA viruses belonging to the Filoviridae family. There are 6 species of Ebola, and four of them can cause Ebola virus disease (EVD) in humans. Ebola viral hemorrhagic fever is one of the deadliest diseases known to infect humans and non-human primates. The primary mode of transmission of Ebola has been identified as direct contact with infected animals, humans and body fluids. The early diagnosis of EVD is difficult because of similarities of the initial disease presentation to influenza-like symptoms such as high fever, myalgia, fatigue, headache, and chills. The most common symptoms that have been reported from previous outbreaks were fever, sore throat, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, diarrhea, and chest pain. Several methods have been used to detect Ebola such as ELISA, conventional RT-PCR, and real-time RT-PCR. Scientists have been working on several therapeutics and vaccines to prevent and treat Ebola.