EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE (EVD): IN WEST AFRICA OUTBREAK

ABSTRACT: Ebola virus disease (evd): formerly known as ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe acute viral illness characterized by sudden onset of fever, myalgia, malaise,and severe headache, followed by vomiting and diarrhea and , in some instances, bleeding. Its epidemic burst in west africa in late 2013, started in guinea, reached in s few months an alarming diffusion actually involving several african countries such as liberia, sierra leone, nigeria, senegal and mali. Guinea and liberia, the first nations affected by the outbreak, have put in place measures to contain the spread, supported by international organizations; then they were followed by the other nations affected. The case fatality rate was as high as 70 percent of the population of the infected. Thus, as month go by, the world health organization (who) has declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Although the numbers of patients contracting and dying from ebola virus disease in the current outbreak are staggering, they are an underestimate since family and volunteers are necessary caring for many patients in the community.