Definition
The Ebola virus is one of the most dangerous viruses in the world and is mainly native to West and Central Africa. It gained sad fame through the big Ebola epidemic in 2014. The high mortality rate of the sick and the extremely high risk of infection make this virus so dangerous. Sick people must be treated in quarantine and infected dead people must be incinerated as quickly as possible to prevent further spread and infection.
Where does his name come from?
The Ebola virus is named after the river Ebola in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. The first outbreaks of Ebola fever occurred along this river in 1976. A total of about 300 people fell ill at that time, of whom almost 90% died.
Even in the recent past, there have been repeated small outbreaks in these areas. However, a cave in Uganda, which is home to a certain breed of flying fox, is considered likely to be the starting point for the virus. Although the animals are carriers of the virus, they do not fall ill with it themselves. Since humans also use these fruit bats as a source of food, the contaminated meat repeatedly leads to transmission of the virus to humans, which can be the starting point for an epidemic.
How is the virus structured?
The Ebola virus belongs to the class of “Filoviridae”, to which the Marburg virus also belongs. They have an elongated thread-like shape and possess an RNA as carrier of their genetic material. This is helically arranged and is held in place by proteins.
The virus is about 700nm long and has a shell. In total there are four Ebola virus types relevant for humans, of which the Zaire Ebola virus is the most dangerous. It is mainly responsible for the high mortality rate of Ebola infections.
The other three species are: Another Ebola virus variant is the Reston Ebola virus. However, this subtype only infects macaques and pigs and is therefore harmless to humans.
- Taï Forest Ebola Virus
- Sudan Ebola virus
- Bundibugyo Ebola Virus
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