Dozens Dead Amid Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa

The World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency as a severe outbreak of Ebola spreads across central Africa.

So far, the outbreak has affected the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, having infected over 336 people in the DRC and two others in Uganda. At least 89 people have been confirmed dead, and the death toll is expected to rise as the virus spreads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the virus originally spread within the DRC's Ituri Province, located on the northeastern edge of the country.

This province also happens to border Uganda, allowing the virus to further propagate into the neighboring country. Local agencies are working with the WHO and CDC to facilitate necessary care and treatment, which is crucial when dealing with Ebola.

Ebola is a disease caused by orthoebolaviruses, a specific type of virus that infects the body and rapidly affects the immune system. Often, when the immune system detects Ebola, it releases a large number of cytokines, which are meant to help fend the virus off. However, the virus prompts the body to generate too many of these cytokines, leading to severe tissue damage and inflammation. Meanwhile, the virus itself attacks blood vessels, causing a staggering drop in blood pressure, and creates blood clots in unnecessary places, causing internal and external bleeding. On top of this, the virus causes major fluid loss in the body's organs, leading to severe dehydration. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, high fever, and fatigue.

Additionally, the virus spreads through bodily fluids like saliva, sweat, and blood. Patients can also contract the virus by touching contaminated materials, which is a major issue in rural Africa, where medical providers lack sufficient protection to defend against the virus.

Ebola has an overall mortality rate of over 50%, but outbreaks in some African regions have seen death tolls reach over 90% of those infected. Mortality rates have improved in recent years with the arrival of new health advancements and more awareness of the condition, but it remains incredibly deadly.

Unfortunately, the current outbreak is due to a new, rare strain of the virus known as Bundibugyo. Scientists do not know much about the mutation, and it is often missed in preliminary screenings for this reason. Research has been able to develop a vaccine for the strain, but it is still in its early phases and has never been tested on humans.

So far, the outbreak is largely contained, with all travelers coming in and out of the region being scanned for Ebola. International organizations are working to provide local healthcare officials with protective gear to be able to effectively treat the virus without spreading it, but funds are scarce and moving materials takes time.

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Image credit to Reuters