Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreaks: strategies for effective epidemic management, containment and control

The Ebola virus is a member of the Filoviridae family. The Filoviridae viruses are RNA viruses with a negative strand. They are the most prevalent pathogens to infect humans and primates, causing lethal hemorrhagic fever. Ebolaviruses are classified into five subtypes based on where they were discovered: Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Reston, and Tai Forest. Ebola virus disease, formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is defined by the classic hemorrhagic fever. The case mortality rate ranges from 25% to 90%, with an average of around 50%. Because of the increased frequency of Ebola virus disease outbreaks, early detection is critical for reducing the danger of an epidemic. Several preventative measures, including the development of a vaccine and quick testing using immunoassays or real-time polymerase chain reaction, were implemented in an attempt to limit the chance of a worldwide pandemic or exhausting epidemic. Today's epidemic management processes are mostly "reactive," with containment measures aimed at preventing the spread of existing epidemics. At present, no globally authorized therapy or vaccination available.
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