Ebola Virus Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Environmental Factors

Ebola is a viral disease caused by filoviridae virus family, and it's also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever or EVD. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and environmental factors of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in this comprehensive article. Understand how the virus spreads and the role of climate change in its transmission.

Running Head: Ebola Virus Disease 1
Ebola Virus Disease
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Abstract
Ebola is a viral disease caused by filoviridae virus family, and it's also known as
Ebola hemorrhagic fever or EVD. It was discovered first in the year 1976 Zaire currently
known as Congo. Ever since the Ebola virus has spread rapidly in Africa (central Africa). It
has a high mortality rate of about almost 90%. The Ebola virus does not divide through cell
division, but they bring up their grown genetic sequence in the host cell DNA and therefore
alter the normal cellular process in the body. The cell of the host starts to produce proteins
that are viral. In the process they bloom from the host cell, taking the portion of the cell
peripheral membrane, therefore, enveloping themselves against detection by the system of the
host immune.
In most cases, the human immune system usually produces antibodies to fight
infection, but for the case of EVD, the virus always multiply rapidly that the immune system
cannot catch up. In most cases the bat (fruit bat) are supposed seen as the virus carrier in
nature, however, they spread the virus, but they are not affected by it. The signs include
experiencing pain in muscles, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, fever and headache. EVD has
no approved treatment and vaccines. People have to adapt to approaches that are therapeutic
to prevent and control the disease. Increase mortality, about nonexistence treatment and
vaccines, makes the virus of Ebola a vital pathogen in public health and a group A biothreat
pathogen.
Introduction
Ebola is one of the most dangerous diseases found across the world particularly in
Africa nations, affecting both nonprimate and primates (World Health Organization, 2014).
Since the period 1976 to the year 2014 Ebola virus epidemics (24) have been confirmed to be
caused by Zaire Ebola virus in equatorial Africa. The outbreaks of Ebola have been small, but

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it has captured the attention of many in the world due to the high fatality rate caused by it as
well as the primal way in which it kills (World Health Organization, 2014). In most cases the
bat (fruit bat) are supposed seen as the virus carrier in nature, however, they spread the virus,
but they are not affected by it (Gire, Goba, Andersen, Sealfon & Park, 2014). The signs
include experiencing pain in muscles, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, fever and headache. A
significant outbreak of Ebola virus was reported in the year 2014, in some parts of West
Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia) being the deadliest, most extended and most
complex in history (Gire, Park et al., 2014). One of the reasons why Ebola is very critical is
because the symptoms appear quickly and are varied. However it resembles those of other
viruses making it difficult to be diagnosed. The best way to survive is early diagnosis
shadowed with supportive care. Regular seasonal weather change is a crucial factor when
dealing with EVD. Animal migration and behavior patterns are mostly determined by
weather. For example shift in climate promotes migration of bats and other animal species to
plants and the living environments of human beings in search of food (Team, 2015).
Presently, as people destroy the natural habitat of organisms, they seem to move to
other areas to find better habitats. Humans cut down trees to sustain their population since the
human population compared to the past has increased drastically (Team, 2015). Most infected
countries experienced several challenges that affected how they responded to the emergence
of the outbreak of Ebola.
Role of Agent
Ebola is a viral disease caused by filoviridae virus family, and it's also known as
Ebola hemorrhagic fever or EVD. It was discovered first in the year 1976 Zaire currently
known as Congo (Baize, Pannetier , Oestereich, Rieger & Koivogui,2014). Ever since the
Ebola virus has spread rapidly in Africa (central Africa). It has a high mortality rate of about

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almost 90%. The disease can affect both humans and its close relatives (primates). After
contracting the disease, the signs begin to show after the second day and the third week
immediately after disease contraction (BaizeKoivogui et al., 2014). The symptoms include
experiencing pain in muscles, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, fever and headache.
Consequently, the kidney and liver function begins to reduce and individuals start to
experience internal and external bleeding. Ebola is a dangerous disease that kills at a faster
rate (at least 25% and 90% of the individuals affected with it) (Dixon, & Schafer, 2014).
Direct contact of the fluids of the body spreads EVD, for example, if one gets in touch
with humans and animals blood that is affected. Also, the contact involves direct contact with
items that are contaminated with body fluids (Dixon, & Schafer, 2014). The affected
individuals that have been affected by Ebola virus may still contain the virus for many weeks
and months. In most cases, the bat (fruit bat) are supposed seen as the virus carrier in nature.
However, they spread the virus, but they are not affected by it (Qiu, Wong, Audet, Bello &
Fernando, 2014)
The Ebola virus replicates competently in many cells, thus generating an enormous
amount of virus in macrophages, dendritic cells, and monocytes. Since the period 1976 to the
year 2014 Ebola virus epidemics (24) have been confirmed to be caused by Zaire Ebola virus
in equatorial Africa The duplication of the virus activates the high level of signals of
chemical (inflammatory) which leads to a state that is septic (Dixon, & Schafer, 2014). The
infection attacks mainly the body cells, for example, the cavity of the liver and immune cells
such as macrophages, dendritic cells, and monocytes. The virus reproduces immediately after
it's carried to the lymph nodes by the immune cells. Thus the virus is spread rapidly and
enters the bloodstream and the lymphatic system, therefore distributing to all over the body
(BaizeKoivogui et al., 2014). The viral agent infects the virus causing the death of the cells.

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It consequently causes abnormal lymphocytes concentration that is low in the blood. This
leads to an immune system that is weak among infected individuals.
The Ebola virus does not divide through cell division, but they bring up their grown
genetic sequence in the host cell DNA and therefore alter the normal cellular process in the
body (Dixon, & Schafer, 2014). The cell of the host starts to produce proteins that are viral.
In the process they bloom from the host cell, taking the portion of the cell peripheral
membrane, therefore, enveloping themselves against detection by the system of the host
immune. In most cases, the human immune system usually produces antibodies to fight
infection, but for the case of EVD, the virus always multiplies rapidly that the immune
system cannot catch up (World Health Organization, 2014).
Infection of endothelial cells happens after three days virus exposure, thus the cells
breakdown causing injury of the blood vessels. The damage occurs as a result of glycoprotein
synthesis of Ebola virus, which decreases particular integrins obtainability that help in
adhesion of the cell to structures of the intercellular, hence causing damage of the liver,
leading to inappropriate clotting (World Health Organization, 2014). The people affected
experience widespread bleeding that result in shock and swelling due to blood volume loss.
The replication of the Ebola virus overpowers the synthesis of proteins (of the infected cells)
and the host immune defense (Baize, Pannetier , Oestereich, Rieger , Koivogui, et al., 2014).
Host and Environmental Factors
Environmental factors have significantly attributed to the spread and development of
EVD. International partners and health officials in Guinea took an extended period to identify
the cause of Ebola virus (Alexander, Sanderson, Marathe, Lewis & Rivers, 2015). By this
moment the virus had already spread quickly affecting an enormous population of people in
the west part of Africa. Ebola was an ancient disease in a new context, thus changing a

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significant number of people since the counties were not prepared to handle EVD since it
appeared to be unfamiliar. People, therefore, did not understand what hit them at that time.
Additionally, the government hadn't countered the social and economic confusion brought
about by this disease. As a result, most were affected without understanding what was going
on (Alexander, Rivers et al., 2015).
The epidemics of EDV begins specifically when one gets in contact with an infected
individual or infected meat or body fluids of animals that are infected. Immediately the
patients become sick or deceased; the virus can be transmitted to others who come in contact
with the infected body, for example, contact with the skin, blood and other fluids of the
body(Alexander, Rivers et al., 2015).
Climatic Change
Regular seasonal weather change is a crucial factor when dealing with EVD. Animal
migration and behavior patterns are mostly determined by weather. For example shift in
climate promotes migration of bats and other animal species to plants and the living
environments of human beings in search of food (Watts, Adger, Agnolucci, Blackstock,
Byass, et al,.2015). Thus in the process, they come in contact with a human, transmitting
disease-causing organisms to them for example Ebola Ecoli. Also, the distribution of plants
and water depend on the patterns of the weather; this influence infected animal movement
into areas they would not be found. For example watts and colleagues found out a connection
between the outbreaks of Ebola and shifts of unfamiliar drier than regular periods after rainy
times (the animals that were infected moved deeper into the space of humans in search of
food and water and/, or humans walked deeper into the forest also in search of food and
water. Therefore it implies that during drier seasons Ebola outbreak is high (Watts, Adger,
Agnolucci, Blackstock, Byass, et al,.2015).

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Currently, the climatic change in West Africa is affecting the animal migration pattern
because the region is becoming hotter. In this case may increase outbreaks of Ebola in the
area because there will be an increase of humans contact with animals (Wesolowski, Buckee,
Bengtsson, Wetter, Lu, & Tatem, 2014).
Presently, as people destroy the natural habitat of organisms, they seem to move to
other areas to find better habitats. Humans cut down trees to sustain their population since the
human population compared to the past has increased drastically (Wesolowski, Buckee,
Bengtsson, Wetter, Lu, & Tatem, 2014). Therefore, the increase in genetic diversity of
animals and interactions of humans in restricted areas signify a condition that is perfect for
the evolution of the Ebola virus, which makes it develop into a vector that is exceedingly
transmittable and deadly. Additionally, encroaching of animals and population of humans on
each other space the chance of finding infected animals and feeding n contaminated crops is
very high.
Filoviruses such as Ebola come about mostly in the tropical regions in Africa,
specifically in rainforests that are humid. Thus the virus can move swiftly in both south and
eastern part of Africa. Apart from Africa the Philippines also present Ebola Reston virus,
since it experiences similar climatic conditions as tropical regions in Africa(Wong, Liu, Liu,
Zhou, Bi, & Gao, 2015). The virus needs a host to be active biologically; thus they are an
obligate and acellular organism. Some viruses can survive outside the body of the host while
others cannot be able to survive outside the environment. In this case, the virus can be
transmitted or transported both directly or indirectly (Wong et al., 2015). The Ebola virus
enters the body and gets attached to the receptors in the body. Immediately the virus gets
connected in the body the virus genome will be integrated into the DNA of the host. As the
cell divides, the Ebola virus genome also divides rapidly. Thus the rate of mutation is high,
therefore increasing pathogenicity (Wong et al., 2015).

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Ebola virus is enveloped that causes harm to its host due to glycoprotein presence that
causes the attachment to its host. Glycoprotein experience environmental exposure which
binds to particular receptive of the host (Wesolowski, Buckee, Bengtsson, Wetter, Lu, &
Tatem, 2014). This play a critical role in the communication of other cells and the external
environment. Ebola as an enveloped virus can be found in the external environment in a
concentration that is high (Wong et al., 2015). Nonetheless, this kind of environment enables
the Ebola virus to persist outside the body of the host. It is this persistence of Ebola virus in
the context that results in reoccurrence and infection risk among primates and non-primates.
In this case, if the environment is adequately maintained the emergence of Ebola will be
prevented. Most African countries experience sanitation problems thus presenting high risk to
public health. Ebola virus disease is mainly ascribed to sanitation that is poor, as a result, the
mortality rate is at its highest peak (Watts, Adger, Agnolucci, Blackstock and Byass, 2015).
Unsafe Water and Inadequate Excrete Disposal Facilities
The virus is transmitted among people through contact and contamination. For
example, food scarcity promotes transmission of Ebola virus disease, since they decide to
practice hunting and gathering thus they quickly come in connection with the animals that are
infected. Additionally, nutrition lack required by the body of a person undergoes
physiological disablement and incapability to react to the environment resulting to the
vulnerability of the body, in consequence, EVD attacks readily (WattsByass et al.,2015).
Human beings may lack specific needs to sustain themselves (more especially the
basic needs and a high number of infected individuals is the main reason for EVD spread
more specifically in Africa) (Wesolowski et al., 2014). Consequently, displacement of the
population also initiates EVD outbreak among people, in this case, if a member of a

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particular group is a disease carrier. If movement is not well looked out upon people are at
the risk of contracting EVD. EVD geography may assist perfect the outbreaks and random
cases of the virus of Ebola.
Accordingly, due environmental factors stated above EVD keeps on reoccurring in
Africa. The original virus reservoir remains unknown; it's believed that during the first
outbreak the virus might have persisted in the environmental permitting it to reoccur
repeatedly over time. Environmental factors such as lack of sanitation, displacement, water
supply, and geography stir up human possibility infection among the countries in Africa.
They contribute to the biological, physical and chemical factors, which help in survival,
transportation, and persistence of the Ebola virus. It’s necessary to understand the fate of the
virus in the environment to properly study EVD, since they stand a high chance of infection,
exclusively when the features are advantageous to them. People have to adapt to approaches
that are therapeutic to prevent and control the disease. Increase mortality, about nonexistence
treatment and vaccines makes the virus of Ebola an essential pathogen in public health and a
group A biothreat pathogen (Wesolowski et al., 2014).
Potential Policy Responses
Individual responses were put in place to control the development and spread of the
Ebola virus. Ebola first outbreak in Guinea was published on WHO website (Scott, 2015). It
consisted of a ministry of health measures in partnership with international partners and
WHO to regulate the outbreak and the spread of EVD further on humans. Some of this
measures consisted of deployment of a multidisciplinary team in the different field to
manage, trace and detect cases of the virus. The laboratories in the region were well prepared
to handle more instances of the disease outbreak. Additionally, they set up rapidly isolation
facilities.

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Due to the increase of Ebola outbreak in the Africa regions, the health ministries were
stimulated to reinforce their alert system and implement the appropriate necessities of the
regulations of international health (Scott, 2015). New medical teams were mobilized (it
involved physician experts) in preventing infection and also govern and support the clinicians
at local hospitals. There was a need for the physicians' experts to go beyond traditional areas
of the epidemiology, services of the laboratory, prevention and control of infection,
management of the clinical case, and logistics to initiates medical anthropology, social
mobilization, and communication experts. Populations’ opposition decided to join
insufficient facilities of treatment and inadequate human resources as a critical barrier to
control (AbramowitzFallah et al., 2015).
Additionally, specific responses put in place to control the development and spread of
the Ebola virus included mobilization of religious and community leaders to spread more
understanding awareness about the illness (AbramowitzFallah et al., 2015). I addition they
also strengthened case study, observation, and tracing of contact to minimize the transmission
of the diseases. People became more aware of the virus. Consequently, they were also
informed of the concentrated transmission of EVD. A significant number of staffs were
deployed to the infected areas, and even most participants agreed to fund the countries to the
response (Scott, 2015).
Significant factors contributing to the spread of EVD were identified to be traditional
and cultural practices, for example, burial practices. The virus is believed to be high after the
death of individuals, since experiencing death means that replication is high, migrating
patterns of the population within borders and countries, and insufficient handling with
adequate measures of containment. Thus these factors contribute to the biological, physical
and chemical factors, which help in survival, transportation, and persistence of Ebola virus
(AbramowitzFallah et al., 2015). It's necessary to understand the fate of the virus in the

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environment to properly study EVD, since they stand a high chance of infection, exclusively
when the features are advantageous to them. During the outbreak, it was necessary to
facilitate ban travel and trading. Additionally, isolation promoted the reduced rate of
transmission of the virus to other populations. However, this response advanced crippling and
intensification of the hardship faced by the community (Scott, 2015).
Most infected countries experienced several challenges that affected how they
responded to the emergence of the outbreak of Ebola. For example, the health systems were
fragile, most lacked experienced in handling the disease (Ebola virus disease), profoundly
moving population, the public did not have proper information concerning the virus
(misconception) and the transmission mode.
Accordingly, international governments (UK and USA) in Sierra Leone and Liberia
build treatment centers to facilitate the support and care of the infected population easily.
Also, the UN Security Council emergency session was set up to analyze the epidemic
implications as a threat to peace and security internationally (Scott, 2015). Throughout
history the disease marked the first time provoked emergency session of the Security Council.
Air Bridge was established to increase staff and material flow, this comprised of vehicles and
medicines that were essential. Protective equipment needed to be supplied in large numbers
since even the smallest treatment facilities need several of this equipment per day
(AbramowitzFallah et al., 2015). This implies that some controlling the disease were a
difficult task that needed proper attention all the time. Thus the responses required
approachability to ensure it worked.
In conclusion, Ebola is one of the most dangerous diseases found across the world
particularly in Africa nations, affecting both nonprimate and primates. Thus it needs extreme
attention to ensure that development and the spread are controlled. Influenced by several

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factors such as climatic change, lack of sanitation, displacement, water supply, and
geography which stir up human possibility infection among the countries in Africa The cure
is yet to be discovered, therefore support and isolation is still the proper way of controlling
the virus.
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