The Ebola virus, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, according to a media article about Ebola, "is a serious and often fatal disease in humans" . The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads through the human population through human contact and bodily fluids. Ebola has been present since the 1970s/80s in countries such as Congo, Gabon, Sudan, Ivory Coast and Uganda. The current Ebola epidemic that started in West Africa is the worst. There have actually been more cases and deaths in this epidemic than in previous ones. Ebola attacks the body, damaging the immune system and organs. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Eventually, this causes a drop in the levels of blood clotting cells, leading to severe and uncontrollable bleeding. It is very likely that anyone who takes care of the patient or buries him or her may contract the disease. Other ways to contract Ebola are by touching contaminated surfaces and needles. According to Web MD, “Ebola cannot be contracted from the air, water, or food. "MD also said that "the virus destroys connective tissue by multiplying into collagen, which is what helps keep organs in place. It eventually causes severe, uncontrollable bleeding. “Death is caused by blood loss, shock or kidney failure. There is little evidence that mosquitoes or other insects can spread Ebola." Common animals such as bats, monkeys and wild animals have demonstrated the ability to infect and spread the virus. A person who has Ebola but has no symptoms cannot spread the disease. At first, Ebola may seem like the flu. The CDC confirms that “symptoms appear 2 to 21 days after infection and usually include vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, sore throat, and weakness. Ebola is very difficult to trace and it is not known how it manages to survive in the wild." This killer virus is something we as a nation need to worry about because the first known case of Ebola was recently diagnosed in the United States. It was found in a patient living in Dallas, Texas, shortly after a visit to Liberia. He became ill after returning home and went to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. He was initially treated and discharged, but returned to hospital as his symptoms worsened. Soon after the tests, it was revealed that he had Ebola disease and unfortunately he died. He and others who have been in Ebola territory and returned to America exposed us to the virus, whether they realized it or not. There are several cases of doctors and regular civilians who came from Africa and when they returned to the United States they tested positive. Ebola is also a problem because there is no vaccine. This causes the survival rate to be low, which is scary. Research is doing its best to create a vaccine, but is still testing it. Recovery from Ebola depends on the person's immune system and the good clinical care they receive. All doctors can do at this point is make sure the person has a balance of electrolytes, maintaining oxygen and blood pressure. It is also critical to treat other infections if they occur. Finally, Ebola is a problem because it spreads very quickly and easily. For example, it can be received simply by sleeping next to a person who has the virus, or by sharing materials used by the sick person. This is more serious than any other virus. Most viruses spread through human secretions, but Ebola has the power to make you sick.