title: [Ebola virus disease].
abstract: Ebola virus disease is a zoonosis causing high mortality epidemics in both human and animal populations. The virus belongs to the Filoviride family. It is composed of a single-strand of RNA. Morbidity foci appear in sub-Saharan Africa. The most probable reservoir are fruit bats, which are local delicacy. The most common route of infection is via mucosa or damaged skin. The spread of disease is rapid due to dietary habits, funeral rites and the insufficient supply of disposable equipment in hospitals. The incubation period of the disease ranges from 2 to 21 days. The beginning is abrupt, dominated by influenza-like symptoms. The disease is staggering with the predominant multi-organ failure and shock. Present-day epidemic symptoms from digestive system in the form of vomiting and diarrhoea are dominant. Currently, the research on vaccine and experimental drug is in progress. The virus is damaged by standard disinfectants used in health care units. Epidemic, which broke out in February 2014, caused by the most dangerous type Zaire, is the greatest of the existing. Morbidity and mortality is underestimated due to numerous unreported cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz University of Nicolaus Copernicus in Toruń, Poland.
authors.forename: Kornelia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karwowska
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005506:Food Contamination; D005516:Food Microbiology; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D015996:Survival Rate; D015047:Zoonoses
keywords: Africa; epidemic; fever; vaccine