Ebola virus disease: From epidemiology to prophylaxis

• Published in: 中国人民解放军军医大学学报：英文版 Vol. 1; no. 4; pp. 208 - 216
• Main Author: Wen-Bin Liu Zi-Xiong Li Yan Du Guang-Wen Cao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China 2014
• Subjects: Outbreak; Epidemiology; Prophylaxis; Ebola virus disease; Virology
• ISSN: 2095-7467

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease(EVD) continues to spread through West Africa. Since the first reported EVD in March 2014, the number of cases has increased rapidly, with the fatality rate of >50%. The most prevalent Ebola virus belongs to the species of Zaire ebolavirus, with a mortality rate as high as 90%. Although there were introduced cases in other continents, Africa is the endemic area where fruit bats and apes are suspected to be Ebola virus carriers. The virus might be transmitted from the host animals to humans if humans consume relative raw and contaminated meats; however, human-to-human transmission via close contact is the major route of current outbreaks. EVD happens at any seasons and affected people of any race in any age groups. Direct contact with body fluids of EVD patients and living in the contaminated environment greatly increase the risk of being infected. Transmission viaaerosol is less possible but the transmission via droplet is possible in humans. Thus, health care providers are facing danger of getting Ebola virus infection. So far, there are limited vaccines, drugs and/or therapies to prevent Ebola virus infection or treat EVD. Medical workers should follow the current standard prophylactic procedures. Military forces can orchestrate efficient care to mass EVD casualties. Although it is necessary to speed up the pace of developing effective vaccine and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of EVD, public health prophylaxis is the most important issue at present to control the spread of this disease cost-effectively.