Introduction
Ebola is a viral infectious disease that belongs to the group of “hemorrhagic fevers” (i.e. infectious febrile diseases that cause bleeding). It occurs rarely, but in most cases it is fatal. Depending on the subtype of the virus, the mortality rate from Ebola fever is 25-90%.
A causal therapy does not yet exist. The name of the disease comes from the river Ebola, which is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The first major known outbreak of Ebola occurred there in 1976. Suspected infection with the Ebola virus, a confirmed illness as well as death due to the disease must be reported by name in Germany. So far, no new cases have occurred in Germany.
Epidemiology
So far, new cases of Ebola have occurred mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Affected countries were mainly Zaire, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2015 there was a major Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which concentrated on Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, but also affected Senegal, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali.
At the time of the epidemic, it was feared that it would spread worldwide, but ultimately it did not. Mali, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are currently considered Ebola-free again. So far, no cases of the disease have occurred in Germany. This topic might also be of interest to you: Coronavirus – how dangerous is it?
Ebola virus
The Ebola virus belongs to the genus Filoviridae. The virus can be divided into five subspecies: Zaire, Sudan, Taï Forest, Bundibugyo and Reston. Only in the subspecies Reston there is no danger for humans, because this virus does not infect humans.
After infection, the virus docks onto human body cells, penetrates them and multiplies. The virus can use almost all human body cells for its reproduction. The newly generated virus particles are then released from the infected body cells and the virus spreads further and further in the organism. The Ebola virus belongs to the RNA viruses and is one of the largest representatives with its diameter of 80nm.
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