Formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, the Ebola virus illness is considered to be “one of the world’s most virulent diseases.” According to reports, the EVD pandemic mostly affected a rural town in Central and West Africa, close to a tropical rainforest. Fatality rates from the outbreak ranged from 50 to 90%.
Introduction
Group: Group V(-)ssRNA
Order: Mononegavirate
Family: Filoviridae
Genus: Ebolavirus
Species: Zaire ebolavirus
There are five known viruses in the genus Ebolavirus, and the Ebola virus (EBOV, formerly known as Zaire ebolavirus) is one of them. 1976 saw the emergence of the first Ebola virus illness (EVD). in two epidemics that happened at the same time, one in Yambukku, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and one in Nzara, Sudan. Five species—Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Reston, and Tai Forest—have been identified. Ebolaviruses from Sudan, Zaire, Bundibugyo, and Zaire have all been linked to significant outbreaks in Africa. The Zaire variety of viruses responsible for the 2014 West African outbreaks is known as VHF.
The diseases that fall within the families Arenaviridae, Filoviridae, Bunyaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Rhabdoviridae range in severity from less serious conditions like Lassa fever, Rift Valley fever, yellow fever, and Dengue fever to more serious conditions that can be fatal, such Marburg hemorrhagic fever and Ebola viral infections. Extreme systemic signs, such as substantial vascular injury leading to multiple organ failure and hemorrhaging, are frequently indicative of severe types. Fruit bats are the natural reservoir, and bodily fluids are the main way that people and animals may contract the disease from one another.
The single-stranded RNA that makes up the Ebola genome has a length of about 19000 nucleotides. It encodes seven structural proteins, including the polymerase cofactor (VP35) and nucleoprotein (NP). (VP40), GP, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, transcription activator (VP30), and (VP24).
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Treatment
Ebola, however, has no known treatment. Despite efforts by experts, there is currently no treatment for Ebola. A serum under investigation that kills contaminated cells is part of the treatment. Promptly diagnosed and treated Ebola symptoms and consequences. Early use of the following simple therapies can greatly increase the likelihood of survival:
- Providing intravenous fluids (IV) and balancing electrolytes (body salts).
- Maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure
There is currently no commercially available vaccine, cure, or therapy for Ebolavirus infection. Carette et al. (2011) suggested that blocking the NPC1 cholesterol transporter might be a way to develop possible anti-filovirus medications. This has been shown to prevent EBOV infection in mice, but it would also obstruct the cholesterol transport system, therefore a cure has not yet been discovered for this type of therapy. Ebola patients should be treated in facilities specifically designed for that purpose and by medical professionals who have received specialised training in treating them. Ebola patients need a comprehensive approach to treatment. Thus, the following medication aids in the management of pain:
- Antipyretic agents (eg, acetaminophen, paracetamol) to decrease fever associated with Ebola virus disease. A dose reduction of these agents may be needed for patients with progressive hepatic dysfunction. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are generally avoided to help minimize the risk of renal failure, which can contribute to fatal disease.
- Analgesic agents to manage pain (eg, abdominal, joint, muscle).
- Antiemetic medications to control nausea and vomiting.
Anti-motility agents (eg, loperamide) to control diarrhea, and decrease fluid and electrolyte losses.
Infection
The virus enters the body via cuts or through exposed mucous membranes like the eyes. Symptoms usually occur 2-21 days later. The infectious period occurs with the symptoms, are fever, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, rash, and kidney & liver problems. The final stages involve external bleeding such as from the gums & in the stools. The virus can also remain in semen for 7 weeks after recovery from infection, it can spread via breast milk & through contact with an infected deceased individual.
Ebola is a rare but deadly virus that causes bleeding inside and outside the body.
As the virus spreads through the body, it damages the immune system and organs. Ultimately, it causes levels of blood-clotting cells to drop. This leads to severe, uncontrollable bleeding. The disease, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever or Ebola virus, kills up to 90% of people who are infected.
Virus transmission
It is not entirely known how Ebola spreads in humans, but contact with body fluids of infected humans or animals is primarily responsible for the virus outbreak. Fruit bats are the natural reservoirs of the virus.
Ebola virus transmission from fruit bats to humans. The virus is transmitted by contact with contaminated body fluids.
Avoid Ebola Virus
There’s no vaccine to prevent or avoid the Ebola virus. To avoid the Ebola virus we have to take care of prevention. The things are:
- Avoid direct contact with blood, saliva, vomit, urine, and other bodily fluids of people with EVD or unknown illness.
- Avoid close contact with wild animals and avoid handling wild meat.
- Healthcare workers can prevent infection by wearing masks, gloves, and goggles whenever they come into contact with people who may have Ebola.
Conclusion
Pharmacists and microbiologists can play a large role in the management of the Ebola virus by educating and reassuring the public, particularly those traveling to endemic areas. As healthcare professionals, pharmacists are suitably placed to advise the general public on what measures can be taken to minimize the risk of infection, what symptoms to watch out for, and how to seek medical advice if contact is made with the Ebola virus.
