World Journal of Medical Sciences 11 (3): 324-333, 2014 ISSN 1817-3055 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjms.2014.11.3.8559 Corresponding Author: Mersha Chanie, University of Gondar, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Paraclinical Studies, P.O. Box, 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. 324 Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever as Emerging Zoonotic Disease Elias Alehegn, Mersha Chanie and Desalegne Mengesha University of Gondar, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Paraclinical Studies, P.O. Box, 196, Gondar, Ethiopia Abstract: Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) is a severe, often-fatal, zoonotic viral disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees) that has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976.Now the disease is emerging that cases are being reported in different regions of the world. The virus is one of two members of a family of RNA viruses called the Filoviridae. There are five identified subtypes of Ebola virus. Four of the five have caused disease in humans: Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, Ebola-Ivory Coast and Ebola-Bundibugyo. The fifth, Ebola-Reston, has caused disease in non-human primates, but not in humans. The disease causes hemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates. Filovirus epidemics have originated from Africa and now spreading to other continents. There is no reported case of the disease in Ethiopia. The virus is classified among the highest priority as bioterrorism agent. Contact with infected people or animal, secretions and sexual intercourse are the major ways of transmission. Symptoms characterizing EHF are unspecific in the first few days of the infection, making the virus even more dangerous. Infection is marked by initial signs of fever, fatigue, exhaustion, muscle aches and dizziness. As the disease progress bleeding under the skin, in internal organs and from the eyes, ears and mouth are seen. Patients with severe progressions of the disease express symptoms of shock, delirium, coma, seizures and nervous system malfunction. The Ebola virus is diagnosed by specific antigens detected in blood specimens, isolation of virus in cell cultures, or detection of IgM and IgG antibodies. ELISA tests are often used to diagnose the viruses. There is no effective treatment for Ebola. Infected patients are treated with general supportive therapy that replenishes intravenous fluids, maintains blood pressure and other bodily functions. There is no vaccine for the disease. Prevention and control is mainly based on appropriate precautions to break ways of transmission. Key words: Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Filovirus Emerging Zoonotic INTRODUCTION Out of the emerging pathogens, 132 (75%) are zoonotic As defined by the World Health Organization, be associated with emerging diseases than non-zoonotic zoonoses are “those diseases and infections which are pathogens [2]. naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man, Zoonotic diseases represent one of the leading with or without an arthropod intermediate”. Outbreaks of causes of illness and death from infectious disease. zoonotic diseases emerge either by apparently new agents Worldwide, zoonotic diseases have a negative impact on or by known microorganisms that appear in areas or commerce, travel and economies. In most developing species in which the disease was previously unknown. countries, zoonotic diseases are of major public health New animal diseases with an unknown host spectrum are significance and contribute to an already overburdened also included in this definition [1]. public health system. In industrialized nations, zoonotic There are about1415 species of infectious organism diseases are of particular concern for at-risk groups such known to be pathogenic to humans. Out of these, 868 as the elderly, children, pregnant women and immuno- (61%) are zoonotic, that is, they can be transmitted compromised individuals. The potential use of zoonotic between humans and animals and 175pathogenic species pathogens as bioterrorism agents should be considered are associated with diseases considered to be 'emerging'. as well [1, 3]. and overall, zoonotic pathogens are twice more likely to