The most dangerous virus outbreak in history
The outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa was first reported in March 2014, and rapidly became the deadliest outbreak of Ebola in history. The virus is spread through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, and the disease it causes, Ebola virus disease (EVD), is often fatal.
As of June 2016, the outbreak has killed more than 11,000 people, and infected more than 26,000. The vast majority of cases have been in three countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. However, there have also been cases in Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
There is no cure for EVD, and treatments are limited to supportive care, such as hydration and maintaining electrolyte balance. This makes early diagnosis and treatment critical. However, the symptoms of Ebola are similar to those of many other diseases, making it difficult to diagnose in the early stages.
The outbreak has had a devastating effect on the economies and healthcare systems of the affected countries. It has also had political and social implications, as the disease has spread fear and mistrust in communities.
The international response to the outbreak has been praised, but also criticised. Some have said that it is too little, too late, while others have argued that the response has been overwhelming and not well coordinated.
What is Ebola virus disease?
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals, and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. However, this can vary depending on the outbreak and the health care available. The 2013-2016 outbreak in West Africa had a case fatality rate of around 70%.
EVD was first identified in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks in Sudan and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter was previously known as Zaire.
The name ‘Ebola virus’ is derived from the Ebola River, which was near the site of one of the first outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The virus is classified as a Level 4 bioterrorism agent by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and as a Risk Group 4 (high risk) human pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO).
There are five species of Ebola virus:
Zaire ebolavirus
Sudan ebolavirus
Taï Forest ebolavirus (formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus)
Bundibugyo ebolavirus
Reston ebolavirus
The Zaire, Sudan and Taï Forest viruses have caused disease in humans, while the Bundibugyo and Reston viruses have not. The 2013-2016 outbreak in West Africa was caused by the Zaire virus.
What are the symptoms of Ebola virus disease?
The incubation period, or time from infection to illness, is 2 to 21 days.
Ebola virus disease is a severe illness that affects many organs and systems in the body. The early symptoms include:
Fever
Headache
Joint and muscle pain
Sore throat
Weakness
Stomach pain
Lack of appetite
These symptoms can then progress to:
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Rash
Impaired kidney and liver function
Internal and external bleeding
bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth or rectum
Severe weight loss
Shock
Death
Laboratory tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis of EVD. These tests can include:
Antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Antigen-capture detection tests
Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay
Electron microscopy
Virus isolation by cell culture
Serum neutralization test
How is Ebola virus disease transmitted?
The natural reservoirs of Ebola viruses are thought to be fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family. These bats are found in Africa, Asia and Australia.
Ebola viruses are transmitted to people from wild animals, and then spread in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
Transmission from animals to humans
Ebola viruses are primarily transmitted to humans from wild animals. The main animal reservoirs for the virus are fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family.
transmission from these animals to humans is thought to occur through:
direct contact with the bat (for example, through handling or consuming infected bat meat)
contact with a surfaces that has been contaminated with bat saliva or urine (for example, through caves or trees that bats roost in)
airborne transmission (for example, through bat guano)
Transmission from humans to humans
Ebola viruses are transmitted to other humans through close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, such as:
blood
sweat
urine
faeces
vomit
semen
breast milk
Contact with these bodily fluids can occur through:
unprotected sexual intercourse
close physical contact (for example, hugging or kissing)
touching the skin or mucous membranes (for example, the eyes, nose or mouth) of an infected person
touching contaminated surfaces (for example, bedding or clothing)
handling the body of someone who has died from EVD
It is also possible to contract EVD from infected needles and syringes.
Ebola virus disease is not transmitted through the air, water or food.
How can Ebola virus disease be prevented?
There is currently no licensed vaccine for EVD, but there are a number of experimental vaccines that are being trialled.
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.
Other measures include:
Educating people about the risks of infection and how to avoid them
Improving infection control in health care facilities
Screening people for Ebola virus infection at airports and other points of entry
Isolating people who are infected with the virus to stop thespread of the disease
Contact tracing – tracing the contacts of people who are infected with the virus and monitoring them for 21 days
destroying infected animals
How is Ebola virus disease treated?
There is no cure for EVD, and treatments are limited to supportive care. This involves giving the patient fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration, and treating any other infections that may occur.
Experimental treatments, such as blood transfusions from survivors of Ebola virus infection, are also being trialled.
What is the death rate from Ebola virus disease?
Ebola virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness with a case fatality rate of around 50%. However, this can vary depending on the outbreak and the healthcare available. The 2013-2016 outbreak in West Africa had a case fatality rate of around 70%.
How can the spread of Ebola virus disease be stopped?
The best way to prevent the spread of EVD is to avoid contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. Other measures include:
Educating people about the risks of infection and how to avoid them
Improving infection control in health care facilities
Screening people for Ebola virus infection at airports and other points of entry
Isolating people who are infected with the virus to stop the spread of the disease
Contact tracing – tracing the contacts of people who are infected with the virus and monitoring them for 21 days
destroying infected animals
What is the international response to the Ebola outbreak?
The response to the Ebola outbreak has been led by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO has been praised for its leadership, but also criticised for its slow response.
As of June 2016, the WHO has deployed more than 1,000 staff to the affected countries. It has also provided financial and technical support, and coordinated the international response.
The WHO has been criticised for its slow response to the outbreak, and for its lack of transparency. Some have accused the organisation of covering up the true extent of the outbreak.
The WHO has denied these accusations, and says that it has been open and transparent about the outbreak from the beginning.
What are the economic effects of the Ebola outbreak?
The Ebola outbreak has had a devastating effect on the economies of the affected countries.
Liberia’s GDP is expected to contract by 3.4% in 2015, while Sierra Leone’s is expected to contract by 8.9%. Guinea’s GDP is expected to grow by 2.4% in 2015, but this is still below the pre-outbreak level.
The tourism and mining industries have been particularly hard hit, as people have cancelled trips and companies have halted operations.
The Ebola outbreak has also put strain on the healthcare systems of the affected countries. In Liberia, for example, the number of hospital beds per 1,000 people is just 0.3. This is far below the WHO’s recommended minimum of 2 per 1,000 people.
What are the social effects of the Ebola outbreak?
The Ebola outbreak has had a number of social effects, including:
Fear and mistrust: The Ebola outbreak has caused fear and mistrust in communities. Some people believe that the disease is a hoax, or that it is being used to deliberately harm people. This has made it difficult to control the outbreak.
The Ebola outbreak has caused fear and mistrust in communities. Some people believe that the disease is a hoax, or that it is being used to deliberately harm people. This has made it difficult to control the outbreak. Stigma: People who have been infected with Ebola, or who have survived the disease, have been stigmatised by their communities. Some have been rejected by their families, and others have been unable to find work.
People who have been infected with Ebola, or who have survived the disease, have been stigmatised by their communities. Some have been rejected by their families, and others have been unable to find work. Poverty: The Ebola outbreak has exacerbated poverty in the affected countries. This is because of the negative effect on the economy, and because people are unable to work due to illness or stigma.
What are the political effects of the Ebola outbreak?
The Ebola outbreak has had a number of political effects, including:
Instability: The outbreak has led to instability in the affected countries. This is because of the economic, social and political effects of the outbreak.
The outbreak has led to instability in the affected countries. This is because of the economic, social and political effects of the outbreak. International assistance: The outbreak has led to an influx of international assistance. This includes financial assistance, medical teams and supplies.
The outbreak has led to an influx of international assistance. This includes financial assistance, medical teams and supplies. Border closures: The outbreak has led to the closure of borders in the affected countries. This has made it difficult for people to travel, and has had a negative effect on the economy.
The outbreak has led to the closure of borders in the affected countries. This has made it difficult for people to travel, and has had a negative effect on the economy. Election delays: The outbreak has led to the postponement of elections in Guinea and Liberia.
What are the ethical issues surrounding the Ebola outbreak?
There are a number of ethical issues surrounding the Ebola outbreak, including:
Resource allocation: There is a limited supply of experimental treatments and vaccines for Ebola. This raises the question of who should receive them.
There is a limited supply of experimental treatments and vaccines for Ebola. This raises the question of who should receive them. Research: There is a need for more research into Ebola. However, the outbreak has made it difficult to conduct research in the affected countries.
There is a need for more research into Ebola. However, the outbreak has made it difficult to conduct research in the affected countries. Stigma: The stigma attached to Ebola has made it difficult to control the outbreak. It has also made it difficult for people who have been infected to access treatment.
The stigma attached to Ebola has made it difficult to control the outbreak. It has also made it difficult for people who have been infected to access treatment. Trial of unproven treatments: The use of unproven treatments, such as experimental vaccines and blood transfusions from survivors, raises ethical concerns. This is because there is a risk that these treatments might not work, and could cause harm.
What is the long-term outlook for the Ebola outbreak?
The long-term outlook for the Ebola outbreak is uncertain. The outbreak has been difficult to control, and has had a devastating effect on the economies and healthcare systems of the affected countries.
There is a need for more research into the virus, and for better diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. However, the outbreak has made it difficult to conduct research in the affected countries.
The stigma attached to Ebola has also made it difficult to control the outbreak. It has also made it difficult for people who have been infected to access treatment.
The international community needs to provide continued support to the affected countries. This includes financial, medical and logistical support.
In the long-term, it is important to build up the healthcare systems of the affected countries. This will help to prevent future outbreaks of Ebola, and other diseases. Citation
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Computer Viruses
1. ILOVEYOU
This computer virus came in the form of an email attachment in May 2000 and quickly spread around the globe, infecting millions of computers within a matter of days. The ILOVEYOU virus is notable for being particularly destructive, as it not only overwrote important files on infected systems, but also emailed itself to everyone in the victim’s address book.
2. Code Red
Named after a kind of soft drink, Code Red was a computer worm that initially infected Microsoft IIS web servers in July 2001. Code Red took advantage of a buffer overflow vulnerability in the software to propagate itself and deface websites that it compromised with the text “Hacked by Chinese!”.
3. Melissa
Named after an exotic dancer in Florida, Melissa was a computer virus that spread through email attachments in early 1999. When opened, the attachment would launch a macro that would email the virus to the first 50 people in the victim’s address book. Melissa caused widespread disruption as it quickly saturated email servers with the large volume of emails it generated.
4. Sasser
Sasser is a type of computer worm that spreads by exploiting vulnerabilities in the Windows operating system. First appearing in 2004, Sasser caused infected computers to reboot continuously, rendering them unusable. Sasser was notable for being one of the first worms to spread without any user interaction, as it did not require any email or file sharing to propagate.
5. Conficker
Conficker is a computer worm that first surfaced in 2008 and continues to infect computers to this day. Notable for its ability to spread quickly and evade detection, Conficker has caused millions of dollars in damage and infected millions of computers worldwide.
6. MyDoom
MyDoom is a computer worm that first appeared in 2004 and quickly became the fastest-spreading email virus at the time. MyDoom caused infected computers to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against specified targets, such as the website of the United States Department of Justice.
7. Spice
Spice is a computer virus that surfaced in early 2012 and quickly became one of the most prevalent viruses in the wild. Spice spreads itself through email attachments and infected websites and causes infected computers to display intrusive advertisements.
8. Zeus
Zeus is a type of computer malware that is used to steal sensitive information such as banking credentials and credit card information. Zeus is notable for its sophisticated functionality and ability to evades detection by antivirus software.
9. Stuxnet
Stuxnet is a type of computer malware that was specifically designed to target industrial control systems. First appearing in 2010, Stuxnet caused massive damage to Iran’s nuclear program by causing centrifuges to spin out of control and self-destruct.
10. WannaCry
WannaCry is a type of ransomware that encrypted the files on infected computers and demanded a ransom be paid in order to decrypt them. First appearing in May 2017, WannaCry quickly spread around the globe, causing billions of dollars in damage. WannaCry is notable for being one of the first ransomware strains to utilize a worm-like capability to spread itself.
Visit malwarezero.org to learn more about what was the most dangerous computer virus. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.