Ebola hemorrhagic fever

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a life-threatening viral infection that is generally acquired by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of infected persons. Outbreaks have been reported from Uganda, Gabon, the Sudan, and the Republic of the Congo. A single case has also been reported from Cote d'Ivoire. Major outbreaks have been reported among gorillas in the Republic of the Congo, which may be a source of human infections. A related virus, called Ebola-Reston, has been isolated from monkeys imported from the Philippines to the United States, but has not been shown to cause clinical illness in humans, i.e. blood tests show that humans have been infected with Ebola-Reston, but they don't become sick.

The incubation period of Ebola hemorrhagic fever ranges from 2 to 21 days, most often 4 to 10 days. Initial symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, and sore throat, followed by rash, vomiting and diarrhea. Complications include hemorrhage, dehydration, dangerously low blood pressure, liver impairment, and kidney failure. There is no treatment except for aggressive supportive measures, such as intravenous fluids, transfusions, etc. Suspected cases should be strictly isolated, including both respiratory and body fluid precautions. Except for health care personnel and relief workers, travelers are generally at low risk for infection, because close contact with those who are infected or their remains is usually necessary for transmission.

From the World Health Organization (WHO)

Ebola haemorrhagic fever - fact sheet revised in May 2004

Outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Uganda, August 2000 - January 2001. Weekly Epidemiological Record 9 Feb 2001, vol. 76, pp. 41-48.

From the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Fact Sheet on Ebola Virus

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

From "Science"

Ebola Outbreak Killed 5000 Gorillas