Ebola 101 | National Geographic

Summary

Ebola is a rare but highly dangerous disease. The video says Ebola viruses include six species, four of which are known to cause illness in humans. They are named after places associated with outbreaks. The first identified species, Zaire ebolavirus, was discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River. It is also described as the species with the highest fatality rate, reaching up to 90%.

How the virus infects the body

• Ebola viruses contain genetic material made of RNA, surrounded by layers of proteins.
• Proteins on the virus’s outer surface can change shape and bind to different host cells.
• After binding, the virus fuses with a cell and releases its RNA inside.
• The infected cell is used to make more virus, allowing the infection to spread through the body.

Symptoms and impact

Symptoms may begin within 8–10 days and range from fever, diarrhea, and vomiting to internal and external bleeding, including bleeding from the eyes. Severe infection can cause organ failure and death.

The 2014 outbreak in West Africa, caused by Zaire ebolavirus, resulted in more than 11,000 deaths—more than all earlier Ebola outbreaks combined. The video states that no cure exists and notes that limited access to healthcare can leave affected communities especially vulnerable. International efforts are focused on developing and testing vaccines.

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• Angeli Gabriel — narrator.