What is ebola virus disease?

Ebola virus: A recently discovered viral illness from West Africa. Early symptoms 2-21 days after infection-sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headaches and sore throat. Some patientsdevelop rash, red eyes, hiccups, chest pains and difficulty breathing and swallowing. It may progress to vomiting, diarrhea, impaired kidney and liver function and sometimes internal and external hemorrhaging & death.

Viral infection: This is a systemic viral infection based in central west Africa due to a very small, contagious and quite deadly virus. When established it causes headaches, fever, weakness, bleeding and organ failure. The death rate is high although some have survived. It is spread by direct contact with an infected person including those who have died from the condition.

Agree w Dr. Raff: Ebola is a filovirus (Filoviridae). There are 5 Ebola strains – the most virulent of which is Zaire. It is transmitted from someone who has signs of infection via contact w blood or bodily fluids or through contact w contaminated objects. Depending on strain & medical response – past death rates have ranged from 88% to 25%.