The History of the Ebola Virus

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There are many diseases out there that do not have a cure nor even a simple treatment. The unfortunate ones lay on their deathbed, crying out for mercy or praying for a miracle to happen. Their bodies slowly deteriorate and eventually rest in peace. The Ebola Virus is held responsible for the lives of nearly six hundred people.

Back in 1976, when this so called Ebola Virus was first discovered in Zaire, very little was known about this virus. The doctors were just as puzzled as the people. The second outbreak followed in the same year, just after Zaire, but now this time in western Sudan. The doctors now know that the Ebola spreads very rapidly. But then, how does that help the victims that have already been infected by Ebola ? The doctors could not find the cause of this deadly virus. There was nothing else the doctors could do. So had no other choice, but to let the victims already struck with Ebola, suffer in pain and eventually die. In these two nations, a reported total of five hundred fifty cases of those who have been infected with Ebola, three hundred forty people did not make it. For a few years, there were no reported cases of the Ebola virus. Without warning, the Ebola appears and sweeps through Sudan, once more. This time there were only thirty four cases, but took the lives of twenty two patients. All of the victims of Ebola probably ask the same questions, “ God, what did I do to deserve this? '; The doctors still did not find the cause of the Ebola virus. I wonder how are the doctors suppose to explain to the patient’s condition. It must be pretty hard. One such reply would be, “ We do not know the cause yet. But you only have a matter of hours to live. Sorry there is nothing else we can do “.

For almost a decade and a half, the Ebola virus was long forgotten. Many thought the Ebola virus was gone for good. But in most recent epidemic, back in 1995, Zaire was once again the target. During an operation, a patient, at first was believed to have contracted malaria, but turned out to have contracted the Ebola virus, instead.

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