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J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis.
V.20, 2014.
Review article - ISSN 1678-9199.
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J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis. V.20, 2014. Review article - ISSN 1678-9199. |
Outbreaks of Ebola virus disease in Africa: the beginnings of a tragic saga
1UMR 216, Mother and Child Facing Tropical Diseases, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Cotonou, Bénin
2Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France
Received: August26, , 2014; Accepted: September19, , 2014
ABSTRACT
The tremendous outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurring in West Africa since the end of 2013 surprises by its remoteness from previous epidemics and dramatic extent. This review aims to describe the 27 manifestations of Ebola virus that arose after its discovery in 1976. It provides an update on research on the ecology of Ebola viruses, modes of contamination and human transmission of the disease that are mainly linked to close contact with an infected animal or a patient suffering from the disease. The recommendations to contain the epidemic and challenges to achieve it are reminded.
Key words: Ebola; Outbreak; Virus; Hemorrhagic fever; Africa