What causes Ebola?

What causes Ebola?

Ebola is caused by the five viruses detailed above classified in the genus Ebolavirus, family Filoviridae. The natural reservoir of Ebolavirus has not yet been proven, for that reason, how the virus first appears in a human at the onset of an outbreak is unknown.⁶
It has been hypothesized by researchers that the virus is zoonotic (animal-borne), with the first patient developing the infection through contact with an infected animal.

Ebola is caused by the five viruses above classified in the genus Ebolavirus, family Filoviridae.

The theorized potential natural reservoirs of the Ebola virus are Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family.² In Africa, infection has been documented through the handling of the following infected animals found ill or dead or in the rainforest:

• Chimpanzees
• Gorillas
• Fruit bats
• Monkeys
• Forest antelope
• Porcupines.

In an outbreak or isolated case among humans, the manner in which the virus is transmitted from the natural reservoir to a human is unclear. Person-to-person transmission is a method by which further infections occur after a human is infected.
Transmission of Ebola between humans can occur in several ways, including through:

• Direct contact through broken skin and mucus membranes with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people
• Indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids
• Exposure to objects (such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected secretions
• Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola
• Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness
• Health care workers have frequently been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed EVD.

Ebola tends to spread quickly through families and friends as they are exposed to infectious secretions when caring for an ill individual. The virus can also spread quickly within health care settings for the same reason, highlighting the importance of wearing appropriate protective equipment, such as masks, gowns and gloves.⁷ Sterilization and disposal of needles and syringes thoroughly in hospitals is an important factor to prevent virus transmission continuing and amplifying an outbreak.