Ebola virus belongs to the family Filoviridae. There are six subtypes in total, four of which can infect humans while the rest mainly infect animals. Zaire ebolavirus has the strongest virulence and the highest fatality rate, serving as the pathogen behind many major outbreaks. Sudan ebolavirus and Bundibugyo ebolavirus can also trigger human outbreaks, and Taï Forest ebolavirus has only caused a small number of human infections. Reston ebolavirus and Bombali ebolavirus generally do not cause human illness. Fruit bats are the natural reservoir host. Humans are mostly infected through exposure to virus-carrying wild animals or patients’ body fluids.
The incubation period of Ebola virus disease ranges from 2 to 21 days. It becomes contagious only after symptoms appear. Transmission mainly occurs via direct contact with patients’ blood, vomit, excreta and other body fluids, and ordinary droplet transmission does not happen. Early symptoms resemble influenza. As the disease progresses, patients develop vomiting, diarrhoea, liver and kidney damage. Severe cases suffer systemic haemorrhage and multiple organ failure.
Prevention is the priority. In epidemic areas, people must refrain from touching, slaughtering or eating wild animals such as bats and apes. Avoid exposure to body fluids of patients or deceased cases and take personal protective measures. Hand washing is essential. Chlorine-containing disinfectants and alcohol can effectively inactivate the virus. Ervebo, an emergency vaccine against Zaire ebolavirus, is administered to close contacts during outbreaks to reduce infection risks, yet it is ineffective against other subtypes.
For treatment, specific monoclonal antibodies are available for patients infected with Zaire ebolavirus. All patients require isolated treatment. The core lies in supportive and symptomatic care, including timely fluid resuscitation, electrolyte correction, anti-shock therapy, control of secondary infections and organ function protection. Anyone with suspected symptoms and epidemic exposure history should seek isolated medical care immediately and actively inform exposure history to curb virus spread.
