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Ebola Research Paper

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Course Project Paper: Ebola
Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as the Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a highly infectious, deadly disease. Ebolavirus is from the virus family of Filoviridae, which also includes Cuevavirus and Marburgvirus. Five species of Ebolavirus have been identified: Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Reston, and Tai Forest.
The Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River, in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is now currently found in many African countries. The first EVD outbreaks occurred in small, remote villages in Central Africa near rainforests, but the recent 2014 outbreak began in West Africa, involving more urban areas than before. The most severely affected countries include Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, largely due to the fact that they lack strong health and sanitation systems. The Zaire, Bundibugyo, and Sudan species, previously mentioned, have been associated with the outbreaks in Africa. The recent 2014 outbreak belongs to the Zaire species.
In 2014, the largest Ebola epidemic in history affected multiple countries in West Africa. There were also two imported cases, including one death, and two locally acquired cases in healthcare providers reported in the United States. The epidemic was …show more content…

Within a few days after symptoms begin, the diagnostic tests that confirm Ebola virus infection are the following: antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing, IgM ELISA, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), electron microscopy and virus isolation by cell culture. Later in the disease course, IgM and IgG antibody testing can be done. Retrospectively, immunohistochemistry testing, PCR, and virus isolation can be done in deceased patients. During laboratory test, samples are extreme biohazard risk and should be conducted under maximum containment

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