How Ebola Virus Spreads Among Humans: The Ebola virus spread in some parts of Africa has once again increased the concern of the world. Recently, the World Health Organization has declared the Ebola infection spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a public health emergency at the international level. According to the report, as of May 16, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths were recorded in DRC’s Ituri province, while some cases have also been confirmed in the lab.

Has a new epidemic started?

WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that the current situation has not yet reached the level of an epidemic, but considering the seriousness of the infection, international cooperation is very important. DRC Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said that there is currently no effective vaccine or special treatment available for the strain that has emerged this time and its mortality rate can reach 50 percent.

What is Ebola disease?

Ebola is a very dangerous and deadly disease, which is caused by a virus of the Orthoebolavirus family. Six different strains have been identified so far, but three of these strains have caused major outbreaks, causing serious infections in humans. This virus usually spreads from animals to humans. According to experts, bats eating fruits are considered to be its natural way of spread. This virus can spread rapidly through direct contact with the blood, body fluids of infected animals or an infected person. This is the reason why the risk of health workers getting infected during treatment in hospitals is very high. There is a risk of spreading the virus even by coming in direct contact with an infected person during the last rites.

What are its symptoms?

According to the World Health Organization, the initial symptoms of Ebola resemble normal viral fever, which makes its identification difficult. Sudden high fever, extreme fatigue, body aches, headache and sore throat may begin within two to 21 days of infection. After this, the patient starts suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, skin rashes and kidney-liver related problems. In many cases, the patient also starts showing mental confusion, irritability and aggressive behavior. Although there is a misconception among the common people that there is always bleeding in Ebola, but experts say that bleeding does not happen in every patient and it appears in the later stages of the disease.

Apart from this, it is also not easy to identify Ebola, because its initial symptoms are very similar to many other infectious diseases like malaria, typhoid, meningitis and common viral fever. This is the reason why many times the patient’s disease is not caught in the initial stages. According to doctors, if proper investigation and identification is not done in time, the infection can quickly become serious.

When did its outbreak appear?

The history of Ebola has also been very scary. Its first major outbreak occurred in 1976, when two consecutive major infections were recorded in Sudan and Congo. After this, the virus spread rapidly in Uganda in 2000-01. But the most horrific outbreak was seen in West Africa between 2013 and 2016. During that period, more than 28 thousand cases were reported in countries like Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and more than 11 thousand people died. This is considered the deadliest Ebola outbreak to date. The infection later spread to America and Europe, where some cases were found in travelers and health workers returning from Africa. After this, between 2018 and 2020, infection spread again on a large scale in DRC and Uganda and recently in 2025, new cases were reported in Uganda.

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What is its treatment?

Researchers say that the treatment of Ebola still remains a big challenge. According to medical experts at Imperial College, London, the treatments currently available only affect the Zaire strain. There is neither any approved vaccine nor effective antiviral drug for the current Bandibugyo strain. In such a situation, the treatment is mainly based on maintaining water and electrolyte balance in the body, keeping the oxygen level stable and managing the patient’s condition.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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