The document discusses the Ebola virus, including its origins, symptoms, transmission, treatment and lack of a cure. It describes the five subtypes of Ebola virus found in different regions of Africa and Asia. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain and bleeding from various orifices. The virus is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and some cultural practices have contributed to its spread. There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment, though research is ongoing to develop these.

1. Mavis Osei
Eng 110-35
Prof. Keator
11/19/2014.
Research paper
Ebola Virus
The current deadly virus outbreak is a hemorrhagic fever called EBOLA. There are five
different subtypes of the virus, each found in separate but different regions of the world. Its
current origination is still being researched, but there are many assumptions about origin. Some
subtypes of the virus are named after the location of its discovery. Ebola has currently spread
throughout the world, from regions in Africa to certain areas in the United States. Ebola can be
transmitted numerous ways and there are many symptoms that warn the carrier of the virus.
There are some reports of bleeding and death by dehydration. The growth of the
dangerous virus has caused global attention. News and social media have been broadcasting
information about its spread and current symptoms to inform people and educate them. People
who contracted the virus are being restricted and confined within a hospital, and there are other
restraining procedures that control the person’s freedom. T.S.A (Transportation Security
Administration) is working on ways to prevent infected travelers from traveling to unaffected
countries. Since the state of Ebola in 1976, scientists have searched about its origin, what
causes it, how it spreads and what can be done to control and prevent it.
Ebola was first recognized in 1976 in Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo and
Sudan. It is named after the river Ebola in Zaire. The virus has five known subtypes named after
the location where they were first identified and caused disease Ebola Sudan, Ebola-Bundibugyo,
Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Ivory Coast and Ebola-Reston. (C.D.C Gov.). Ebola-Reston is the newest

2. subtype and was identified in research macaques imported from Philippines to Virginia in 2004
and later in Texas in 2006. It was discovered that the research animals in both cases were from
the same strain (C.D.C Gov.). While Ebola-Ivory Coast and Ebola-Reston do infect humans,
symptoms as manifested by infection with other subtypes is not seen nor have any human deaths
been reported.
(Lee and Saphire, 2009) Ebola-Zaire and Ebola-Sudan are the most lethal with mortality rates
upwards of 90% and 61% respectively. (C.D.C Gov.)
Ebola virus is classified as a class of bioterrorism agent and one that must be handled
biosafety level four labs. Research of Ebola virus requires trained professionals and facilities
with rigorous levels of control to access (C.D.C Gov.). Like other viruses, the survival and
spread of Ebola is dependent upon the host organism. At this time, the natural reservoir is not
known which complicates containment and prevention of the acquisition of Ebola since there is
no current vaccine for the Ebola virus. There are hypotheses that a non-primate is the host carrier
as the virus and viral antibodies are found in them though they do not exhibit any symptoms.
Research continues in attempting to discover the natural reservoir so transmission prevention
mechanisms may be implemented. The virus is not known to be native to continents other than
Africa and Philippines in Asia (CDC Gov.). Ebola virus poses a considerable public health
concern due to recent emergence of new subtype, high mortality rate associated with it , concern
of possible misuse of the virus and lack of antiviral or vaccines (Sarwar,2011). The relation of
the new subtype requires us to do more research in order to get vaccine and to prepare for any
other breakout in future.
Ebola virus belongs to the Filoviridae family of viruses which also includes the very
similar Marburg virus. It is an enveloped virus and is characterized by a long filamentous

3. structure which can present as straight, branched, circular or folded stand with a uniform
diameter of approximately 80mm but variable in length. It specifically targets endothelial cells,
liver cells, neutrophils and macrophages. Infected cells produce large amount of cytokines which
solicits extreme response from the immune system and disrupts normal behavior of liver,
kidneys, respiratory system, skin and blood (Hammer, 2012).
“Ebola virus is a non-segmented negative strand RNA genome containing seven
structural and regulatory genes. The Ebola genome contains four version structural proteins and
three membrane associated proteins” (C.D.C Gov.). The viral nonstructural secretory glycol
protein, GP, is produced in large quantities early in infection. This glycoprotein binds to
neutrophil receptor and inhibits its activation and the body’s innate immune response at large. A
non-secretory envelope glycoprotein, GP, binds to endothelial cells, but not to neutrophils. “It is
known to destroy endothelial cells which are associated with disseminated intravascular
coagulation. This may contribute to the hemorrhagic manifestations of Ebola.” (Lee and Cook,
2013) The receptor of the host cell on which the glycoprotein attaches to is still being researched.
The virus enters the host cells through endocytosis where it replicates and synthesizes its
proteins. It exits the cell with host cell membrane including its proteins enveloped around it. (Lee
and Cook, 2013).
The Ebola virus is classified as zoonotic, through transmission it can be spread from
animals to humans. It can also be passed from human to human and is contracted through direct
contracted through direct contact with body fluids of the infected person. Endemic levels of
infection in mid to late 70s were seen both in Sudan and Zaire, due to the lack of sanitation of
reusable needles whereby needles are been reused in some facilities due to insufficient

4. equipment and improper barrier techniques where infected people from their countries travel to
another countries without been screened.
Still, today, in poor African Countries where clinical sites are unsanitary or where
sanitary hospital practices are not used, Ebola is often transmitted from patients to caregivers due
to improper training on how to use the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
Many cultures have burial rituals which include cleansing of the dead body prior
to burial. The bodies of the people who have died of Ebola are still contagious and many family
members unknowingly acquire the virus through this process. (Sarwar, 2011). Many of the large
Ebola endemics were contained only after implementing strict quarantine and preventing family
members from performing these rituals thus limiting their exposure to the virus.
In some African countries, “bush meat” is considered a delicacy. Eating or butchering
infected animals can spread the virus (WHO.int).
The incubation period for Ebola virus is two to twenty-one days. The infected person is not
considered contagious during the early stages of incubation period but as the illness progresses,
bodily fluids are considered extremely bio-hazardous. Virus isolation and antigen-capture
enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay testing can be used to diagnose Ebola (C.D.C Gov.).
The onset of symptoms is sudden and usually confused with other common viral
infections such as flu. They include fever with or without chills sore throat, severe headaches,
joint and muscle aches (C.D.C.gov). Over time, symptoms become severe and include red eyes,
nausea and vomiting, raised rash and bleeding from mucous membranes. Blood fills the
intestines, bladder, spilling out from nose, eyes and mouth. On dark skin, the rash is often not
recognized until it begins to peel. Many patients suffer from the symptoms, and they can be very

5. harsh on the patients by causing severe pains in their body. The terminally ill may manifest rapid
breathing, hypotension and coma. (Medical Management).
There are currently no antiviral drugs proven effective for treatment of Ebola. Supportive
care is usually given to infected people in hospital settings. This includes maintaining adequate
blood pressure, replacing blood loss, providing fluids and treating any other infections that may
develop. Heparin injections are also part of treatment plan in attempt to restore the
anticoagulation factor in blood. Care must be provided with strict isolation barriers to prevent
spread of virus. Death comes soon after infection, typically within seven to ten days, due to
multiple organ failure and virus induced septic shock. (Medical Management) As the Ebola virus
is one of the most deadly illnesses known to humankind; Ebola virus patients have little chance
of surviving. The definitive prognosis of the Ebola virus is death, and as many as 90% of people
with the disease die from the shock that it causes to the body.
This could be the reason that there is no known cure for the infection and because typical
tested antivirals do no work to fight it, or it could be because of the devastating effects the virus
has on the body.
Many people are more-likely to die due to this scary, human-killing virus. There have
been total 14,000 reported infections of Ebola, 5,177 of which resulted in death in six countries:
Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria the United States and Mali. For those who survive this
disease, recovery can be slow taking months to regain strength. People may experience hair loss,
headaches, fatigue, liver inflammation and sensory changes (WHO.int). The virus remains in the
body weeks after clinical symptoms may subside. Sexual transmission can occur as the virus has
been detected in semen seven weeks into recovery from Ebola (Sarwar,2011).

6. There is much research going into developing a vaccine for Ebola. Some clinical studies have
shown vaccines to be effective for rats and macaques. These studies point to subjects vaccinated
against the virus developing both a cell-mediated response and a humeral antibodies response.
(Medicine) “Antibodies that are in survivor sera appear to preferentially recognize sGP over GP.
Hence, sGP could play a role in the evasion of humeral immune response by absorbing elicited
antibodies (Lee and Sapphire, 2009). I think that the virus will continue to grow and, become
more widely spread around the world because of the no vaccine and increase in mortality rate.
Scientists are working on building up the medicines for this virus, but the progress is slow. I
think that one day scientists will find a cure for this horrible virus.
Overall the Ebola virus is a deadly virus which takes a long time to treat. There is no
cure and it can kill thousands of people if not controlled. Therefore, emphasis should be placed
on ground zero in the affected countries to help prevent and control the virus from spreading.
The Public, including infected victims and their families, should be educated about the virus
Ebola. For example, sinus, mode of transmission and overall prevention. I also think screening
sick patients at the airport before they board airplanes is important because this can help to
control the transmission of the Ebola Virus since it can be contracted through body fluid such as
sweat.

7. Works Cited
CNN Library. “Ebola Fast Facts.” CNN Health. CNN.com, 1 Nov. 2014. Web.
6 Nov. 2014.
Smith, Tara C. Ebola. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2006. Print.
Von Drehle, David, Alexandra Sifferlin, Naina Bajekal, Aryn Baker, Alice Park, and Alex
Altman. “The New Ebola Protocols.” Time 27 Oct. 2014: 20-23. Ebscohost. Web. 27 Oct.
2014.
World Health Organization. “Ebola: identifying the cause of death.” Ebola Virus Disease.
WHO, 17 Nov. 2014. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.