More than 600 people have died in what the WHO describes as the largest ever outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa.
The dead include healthcare workers such as Liberian physician Dr Samuel Brisbane.
Here's a rundown of what we know so far:
1. Ebola is a severe, often fatal viral disease formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, caused by the several Ebolavirus members of the Filoviridae (filovirus) family. The virus comes from fruit bats and monkeys, and may be spread to humans by contact with animals through hunting or preparation of meat.
2. Human-to-human transmission occurs via blood, body fluids, secretions through broken skin, and in healthcare situations with poor infection-control practices.
3. The latest outbreaks are in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea in West Africa, where there have been 1200 confirmed and suspected cases and 672 deaths to date. Many healthcare workers are among the victims.
4. Those at risk include people living in or travelling to affected areas of Africa where there has been direct exposure to the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal (alive or dead), including unprotected sexual contact.
5. Signs and symptoms of early Ebola viral illness disease include sudden onset of fever, muscle aches, weakness, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, and malfunction of liver and kidneys.
6. Patients may have profuse internal and external bleeding and progress to multi-organ failure. The prognosis is poor, with case fatality rates of 50%-90%.
7. There is no vaccine or effective treatment for Ebola virus, only supportive care, such as rehydration.
8. Prevention of Ebola is based on avoidance of contact with infected animals and raw meat. Close contact with infected patients should be avoided, particularly their bodily fluids. Personal protective equipment and frequent handwashing is required when taking care of ill patients.
9. There have been no cases in Australia, but special procedures have been recommended for suspected cases, including asking patients to wear a mask and informing health departments for follow-up.
Sources:......WHO: Ebola virus disease Department of Health: EVD outbreaks in West Africa — Important Information for Patients and Consumers 9 things you need to know about Ebola
