International Journal of Nursing Research (IJNR) International Peer Reviewed Journal Review article Ebola virus disease: Comprehensive review Archana R. Dhanawade Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University College of Nursing,, Sangli, Maharashtra, India Abstract Ebola is a Filoviridae virus with characteristic filamentous structure of a thread virus. It became a global threat when its outbreak has affected lives of thousands of people including doctors, nursing staff, healthcare workers. The virus spreads via direct contact with blood or body fluids from an infected person in an uncontrolled manner with limited treatment options. The Ebola virus disease is a very serious health problem causing major deaths within a short period. As there are no specific treatment or vaccines available, prevention is the only option to control the spread of disease. So, the health team members, the staff nurses who are more prone to this disease should have adequate knowledge about the disease and its prevention to handle the situation. Keywords: Ebola Virus Disease, nursing, health problem *Corresponding author: Archana R. Dhanawade, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University College of Nursing,, Sangli, Maharashtra, India, India. Email:
[email protected] 1. Introduction of Ebola virus disease months later the second outbreak of Ebola virus emerged from Zaire with highest mortality rate The recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) infecting 318 people. In spite of tremendous has revealed many weaknesses in the public efforts of experienced and dedicated researchers, healthcare system in controlling the spread of Ebola’s natural reservoir was not identified. The disease. In addition, the outbreak has affected third outbreak of Ebola was identified in 1989 lives of thousands of people including doctors, when infected monkeys were imported into nursing staff and healthcare workers [1].