Ebola Virus: Epidemic Consequences

Author: Leopoldina
Published: 2014/10/15 - Updated: 2024/05/27
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Findings
Topic: Ebola Virus - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Article looks at some of the key consequences regarding an Ebola virus epidemic which could present new challenges to the international community. On 8 August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa to be an international public health emergency.

Introduction

The Ebola virus is spreading rapidly and to an unexpected extent. The outbreak does not follow the patterns experienced in the past and the virus shows a new disease dynamic in regions, where it has never been recorded before. For this reason, the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, acatech - the German Academy of Science and Engineering, and the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities have presented a statement on the Ebola epidemic today.

Main Item

(Ebola hemorrhagic fever - EHF) is the human disease caused by ebola viruses. Symptoms start 2 days to 3 weeks after contacting the virus with a fever, throat and muscle pains, and headaches. There is then nausea, vomiting and diarrhea along with decreased functioning of the liver and kidneys. At this point some people begin to have problems with bleeding. Ebola first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks, in Nzara, Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals - Ebola Information from the CDC.

In the statement the academies call for the following consequences to be taken:

To combat the Ebola epidemic vaccines and antivirals are urgently needed. To meet this need, the further development of experimental vaccines and medicines for clinical application needs to be accelerated. Even if the pathogen should temporarily disappear again, research must continue as a precautionary measure because another outbreak is highly probable. Such precautionary measures must also include ensuring that sufficient quantities of available vaccines and antivirals are stockpiled in case of a new outbreak. Increasing medical and social science research in this area is also vitally important for future preparedness.

Background

On 8 August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa to be an international public health emergency. In particular, the WHO advised that:

The United Nations Security Council agreed with this assessment in its declaration of 18 September 2014 which stated that the epidemic constitutes a threat to international peace and security.

The Current Ebola Outbreak

Since its discovery in 1976, there have been repeated outbreaks of the Ebola virus, which were generally contained to remote regions of Central Africa and never amounted to more than 500 cases.

The current outbreak of the virus is entirely different to past outbreaks. After the first cases were recorded in early 2014 in South-West Guinea, the disease has spread rapidly. Alongside Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, with its million-plus capital Monrovia, have been hit especially hard. The spread of the virus has been accelerated by multiple factors including disastrous hygiene conditions, the collapse of the medical infrastructure and a lack of public awareness. Over 8000 cases were registered by 5 October 2014. About half of the people infected have died. The death toll includes many doctors and nursing staff and an end to the outbreak is not in sight. From the beginning, the local healthcare systems have been supported by international aid organizations: Doctors Without Borders and the European Mobile Laboratory Project were the first to come to the region in March 2014. From very early on, these organizations have repeatedly said that the outbreak will not be contained without a massive increase in medical and epidemiological aid.

Ebola Virus Progression

The Ebola virus and the Marburg virus are filoviruses, research on which started with discovery of the Marburg virus in 1967. Research in this area that has been carried out in Germany has significantly contributed to understanding the nature of the Ebola virus. This research furthermore delivered important approaches to control and fight the virus, such as the procedures to identify the virus which are being applied by the European Mobile Laboratory in the current outbreak. In addition, one of the two vaccines to be tested in the clinic is based on research originally carried out in Germany.

Ebola viruses are transmitted from animals to humans. Fruit bats are presumed to be the natural reservoir of the virus. The Zaire species of Ebola virus, responsible for the current outbreak in West Africa, causes a particularly severe form of haemorrhagic fever. The disease progresses primarily with massive virus proliferation and immune dysfunction. The main symptoms are fever, diarrhea, vomiting and impaired coagulation, leading to multiple organ failure and shock. Initial examinations of the genetic material have shown that the virus is different to past strains with numerous genetic changes (mutations), but the significance of this is not known.

Experimental Medicines and Vaccines

There are as yet no vaccines or antiviral drugs that have been registered for human use. Interventions that are still in an experimental phase, some of which were developed over 10 years ago, have now taken on a special importance. These include antiviral drugs based on nucleic acid molecules (siRNA) and therapeutic antibodies, and vaccines based on recombinant viruses. Under pressure of current events, the vaccines and therapeutics that have shown good results in animal experiments are now being tested in initial clinical studies. The process of moving from the experimental phase to clinical application will certainly be cost-intensive and time-consuming. The thought that numerous lives could have been saved, had this process been started earlier, is depressing.

Consequences

The Ebola virus epidemic on this scale presents completely new challenges, both to the countries that are directly affected and the international community. Germany, together with other industrialized countries, has an important role to play here. Some of the key consequences that need to be taken are:

Strengthen international collaboration and capacities

Expand medical and social science research

Rapidly apply existing developments for vaccines and drugs

Working Group:

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Leopoldina and published on 2014/10/15, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Leopoldina can be contacted at leopoldina.org/en/leopoldina-home/ NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Cite This Page: Leopoldina. (2014, October 15 - Last revised: 2024, May 27). Ebola Virus: Epidemic Consequences. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved April 25, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/health/ebola/consequences.php

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