First Ebola case diagnosed in the US

The United States in last week of September 2014 diagnosed its first case of the deadly Ebola virus.

The person was diagnosed for the disease after being hospitalised with the symptoms that were confirmed to be caused by Ebola. 

As per the US health officials, the person became infected with the deadly Ebola virus in Liberia and traveled to Texas, US.

The patient left Liberia on 19 September 2014. The symptoms of the virus on the patient became apparent on 24 September 2014. He was admitted to hospital in Texas on 28 September 2014 and since then has been put in isolation.

In short about Ebola virus:

• Symptoms include high fever, bleeding and central nervous system damage.
• Spread by body fluids, such as blood and saliva.
• Fatality rate can reach 90% - but current outbreak has mortality rate of about 70%.
• Incubation period is two to 21 days.
• There is no proven vaccine or cure.
• Supportive care such as rehydrating patients who have diarrhoea and vomiting can help recovery.
• Fruit bats, a delicacy for some West Africans, are considered to be virus's natural host.