Ebola – the most serious health challenge of modern times

The Ebola virus of the Filoviridae family causes haemorrhagic fever in humans called Ebola virus disease (EVD)
or Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF). According to its places of occurrence, five subtypes of disease have been
distinguished. EVD is transmitted by blood or other body fluids. In its initial stage, the disease is similar to
influenza; in the final stage, patients manifest multiple organ failure, which leads to death. The mortality rate in
EVD is up to 90%. In August 2014, the outbreak of EVD epidemic was declared in West Africa; moreover, the
case of transmission of the disease to Europe was demonstrated. Considering the above risk, it is essential to
exercise great caution and provide education for the travelling population and health care workers.