Epidemiology: Ebola as a Communicable Disease

Epidemiology is the study of infections and diseases, their transmission modes, and the

determinants, causes, or risk factors of the diseases in a particular population. Epidemiology

tools are utilized to screen for infection-instigating agents, their natural hosts, and the

transmission modes to formulate successful interventions. Subsequently, this essay will apply the

concepts of nursing research and epidemiology to outline the Ebola epidemiology, associated

health determinants, its epidemiological triad, and the community health nurse’s role in

preventing or controlling the epidemics. Additionally, this paper will discuss the concerned

national agencies and the global inferences of Ebola.

Epidemiology of Ebola

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe illness and belongs in the list of the topmost

deadliest illnesses globally. The disease is caused by a virus belonging to the ebolaviruses taxa

(Abd-Elfarag, 2018). EVD is a part of the group of diseases known as viral hemorrhagic fevers.

Contagion with EVD is critical, severe, and frequently fatal in humans. Multiple subspecies of

Ebola viruses have been identified to cause EVD; Bundibugyo, Zaire, Tai Forest, Reston, and

Sudan. Sudan, Zaire, and Bundibugyo Ebolaviruses are accountable for the biggest EVD

epidemics across Africa (Nicastri et al., 2019).

The incubation time of EVD is 2-21 days, though, in most scenarios, signs can occur

within two weeks of infection (WHO, 2021). The initial symptoms of EVD comprise headaches,

fever, muscle/body weakness and pain, fatigue, and sore throat. This can be shadowed by

abdominal pain, epigastric pain, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea, chest pains, and symptoms of

impaired kidney and liver functions such as external and internal hemorrhage (Nicastri et al.,

2019). Any contact with the sick person’s bodily secretions or blood could result in a contagion

within this period.

EVD is zoonotic (it typically occurs in animals but can be spread to humans). Fruit bats

and apes are believed to be the key reservoir for EVD (Abd-Elfarag, 2018). The key point of

entry to a person’s system is when bodily secretions of an infected animal such as blood come