Ebola Fever: an „Emerging“ Disease

Overview

One of the most fatal diseases encountered by mankind so far is Ebola fever. Ebola fever is causedby a highly pathogenic virus from the Filoviridae family which is found in nature in four differentsub-types which differ among others also by their pathogenicity for man. The hitherto detected EBOsub-types are stable do not change in the course of an epidemic nor in the course of the patient’sillness, nor during passage of the virus from one subject to another. The author presents a historicalreview of epidemics, nosocomial and laboratory infections, spread and epizoonosis caused by theEbola virus. The author presents a detailed clinical picture describing the frequency and evolutionof different clinical symptoms and signs based on the observation of 103 patients infected with theEbola virus in Kikwit, Zaire (nowadays Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1995. In the laboratorydiagnosis individual tests are mentioned assessing the presence of the virus, viral antigens andantibodies, incl. the most recent immunohistochemical test. The author mentions the problem ofpatient care and his therapy, incl. available antiviral drugs and passive immunotherapy. He alsodiscusses the possibility and probability of spread of the Ebola virus into our environment. Hementions principles for transport of subjects with suspected disease, demands for their strictisolation and maximum protection of the attending staff incl. barrier nursing technique. The authordiscusses also principles of epidemiological work, detection and isolation of sources, identificationand follow up of contacts and epidemiological supervision of affected areas. Past epidemics madeit possible to assemble many scientific findings and practical experience. These make it possible tocope nowadays with any attack of the Ebola virus not only in areas of its epizootic occurrence.

Key words:
Filoviridae – Ebola virus – Ebola fever.