SYMPTOMS

In Ebola virus and Marburg
virus, signs and symptoms
typically begin abruptly within
five to 10 days of infection.
Early signs and symptoms
include:
Fever
Severe headache
Joint and muscle aches
Chills
Sore throat
Weakness
Over time, symptoms become
increasingly severe and may
include:
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea (may be bloody)
Red eyes
Raised rash
Chest pain and cough
Stomach pain
Severe weight loss
Bleeding from the nose,
mouth, rectum, eyes and
ears

CAUSES OF EBOLA VIRUS
Ebola virus has been found in
African monkeys, chimps and
other nonhuman primates. A
milder strain of Ebola has been
discovered in monkeys and pigs
in the Philippines. Marburg virus
has been found in monkeys,
chimps and fruit bats in Africa.


TRANSMISSION FROM
ANIMALS TO HUMANS

The virus can be transmitted to
humans by exposure to an
infected animal's bodily fluids.
Examples include:
Blood. Butchering or eating
infected animals can spread
the viruses. Scientists who
have operated on infected
animals as part of their
research have also
contracted the virus.
Waste products. Tourists in
certain African caves and
some underground mine
workers have been infected
with the Marburg virus,
possibly through contact
with the feces or urine of
infected bats.

Transmission from
person to person
Infected people typically don't
become contagious until they
develop symptoms. Family
members are often infected as
they care for sick relatives or
prepare the dead for burial.
Medical personnel can be
infected if they don't use
protective gear such as surgical
masks and latex gloves. Medical
centers in Africa are often so
poor that they must reuse
needles and syringes. Some of
the worst Ebola epidemics have
occurred because contaminated
injection equipment wasn't
sterilized between uses.
There's no evidence that Ebola
virus or Marburg virus can be
spread via insect bites.

RISK FACTORS

1.Travel to Africa. You're at
increased risk if you visit or
work in areas where Ebola
virus or Marburg virus
outbreaks have occurred in
the past.

2.Conduct animal research.
People are more likely to
contract the Ebola or
Marburg virus if they
conduct animal research
with monkeys imported
from Africa or the
Philippines.

3. Provide medical or
personal care. Family
members are often infected
as they care for sick
relatives. Medical personnel
also can be infected if they
don't use protective gear
such as surgical masks and
latex gloves.

4.Prepare people for burial.
The bodies of people who
have died of Ebola or
Marburg hemorrhagic fever
are still contagious. Helping
prepare these bodies for
burial can increase your risk
of developing the disease
yourself.


COMPLICATIONS
Both Ebola and Marburg
hemorrhagic fevers lead to
death for a high percentage of
people who are affected. As the
illness progresses, it can cause:
Multiple organ failure
Severe bleeding
Jaundice
Delirium
Seizures
Coma
Shock
One reason the viruses are so
deadly is that they interfere
with the immune system's ability
to mount a defense. But
scientists don't understand why
some people recover from
Ebola and Marburg and others
don't.
For people who survive,
recovery is slow. It may take
months to regain weight and
strength, and the viruses remain
in the body for many weeks.
People may experience:
Hair loss
Sensory changes
Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
Weakness
Fatigue
Headaches
Eye inflammation
Testicular inflammation