A look at major Ebola outbreaks and when the disease was first identified
Summary
A new Ebola outbreak has been reported in the Central African country of Congo, with over 300 suspected cases and at least 88 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. This outbreak is caused by a rare virus known as the Bundibugyo virus.Key Facts
- The current Ebola outbreak is occurring in Congo and also affecting neighboring Uganda.
- More than 300 suspected cases and at least 88 deaths have been reported so far.
- The WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
- Ebola was first identified in 1976 after outbreaks in what is now South Sudan and Congo.
- Ebola is caused by a group of viruses; three main types cause large outbreaks: Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus.
- The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which is rare and had only two previous outbreaks.
- Fruit bats are thought to be the natural carriers of Ebola viruses, which can spread to humans and other animals.
- Ebola spreads between people through contact with infected body fluids, such as blood, vomit, or feces.
- Symptoms usually start within a week and include fever, aches, sore throat, then may progress to more severe problems like bleeding.
- Ebola has an average fatality rate of about 50%, but this can vary widely.
- Vaccines and treatments are available only for the Ebola virus type, not the Bundibugyo virus.
- The worst Ebola outbreak was from 2013 to 2016 in West Africa, causing over 28,000 cases and more than 11,000 deaths.
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