Ébola, el virus que mata mucho, pero no se contagia como la gripe – Excélsior

Ebola is frequently associated with images of isolated hospitals and protective suits due to its high lethality. However, health experts emphasize a critical distinction regarding how the virus spreads compared to common respiratory illnesses.

While the virus can be extremely deadly, it does not transmit in the same manner as the flu, measles, or COVID-19. These respiratory diseases spread more easily in closed spaces, schools, offices, and on public transportation, whereas Ebola does not behave in this way.

Understanding this difference is essential for assessing the actual risk of the disease, as a virus can be highly lethal without being extremely contagious.

Lethality and Viral Characteristics

Ebola is not caused by a single virus but by a group of viruses known as orthoebolavirus, which belong to the filovirus family.

The disease is known for its high mortality rate. According to the World Health Organization, the average lethality of the virus is estimated at approximately 50 percent, although this figure has fluctuated between 25 percent and 90 percent in previous outbreaks.

The illness manifests through a variety of severe symptoms, including fever, intense fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can also lead to damage in the liver or kidneys.

Although popular culture often associates Ebola with hemorrhaging, the World Health Organization warns that bleeding does not always occur and typically only appears during the more advanced stages of the disease.

Origins and History

The disease was first identified in 1976 during two outbreaks that occurred almost simultaneously. One was located in what is now South Sudan, and the other occurred in Yambuku, in the current Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The virus takes its name from the Ebola River, which was located near one of the areas where the initial outbreak was detected.

Since its discovery, the virus has reappeared in various outbreaks, primarily within sub-Saharan Africa.

Current Public Health Situation

Recent developments have highlighted the ongoing threat of the virus in Africa. A new outbreak has resulted in 88 deaths across Congo and Rwanda.

In response to these events, a health emergency has been declared for the Ebola outbreak in Africa. The World Health Organization has expressed great concern regarding the situation.