The causative agent is classified in the genus Ebolavirus of the Filoviridae family. Filoviruses are filamentous enveloped viruses containing a non-segmented, negative-strand genomic RNA of approximately 19 kilobases.
The virus in the blood or body fluids can enter another person’s body through broken skin or unprotected mucous membranes, such as eyes, nose, or mouth. The viruses that cause Ebola are often spread among family and friends because they are in close contact with blood or body fluids when caring for ill persons.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever's complex pathophysiology, characterized by immunosuppression as well as stimulation of an intense inflammatory response, results in a syndrome similar to septic shock.
Initial symptoms are sudden onset of fever and fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. Usually followed by: vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, spontaneous bleeding internally and externally (in some cases).
Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever
