Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa

By Monare Matlala, DENOSA Data Analyst

We hear about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in the news and read it on all health websites every day. But how really bad is the spread of Ebola? Centre for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the virus was first discovered in Africa in 1976, but the 2014 outbreak is the worst in history. Below are some of the interesting numbers about the Ebola outbreak.  

1976- CDC reports that’s the year it was identified in Africa. One in DRC and another in South Sudan

05- Types of Ebola viruses known v replica watches

04- Can cause illnesses in humans and animals. The last type, Reston virus can cause illness in some animals but not humans

8-10- Number of days typical symptoms take to appear after exposure to the virus

0- Number of reported cases in South Africa and neighbouring countries in the current outbreak

99.8%- Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone’s account of all Ebola cases and deaths

R32.5 million- Funds requested by the Department of Health for the containment and prevention of further spread of the virus to South Africa and other countries

2012- In 2012 there was an outbreak in DRC. 77 cases and 36 deaths were reported by the DRC ministry of health

2012- 11 confirmed case and 4 deaths were reported in Uganda

2^nd Highest- the second highest number of deaths recorded was in 1976 whereby 280 deaths resulted in the Zaire outbreak. It was a death rate of 88% of reported cases. Except where there is only 1 case and 1 death (meaning 100% resultant deaths) another huge death rate was in December 2002 outbreak in Congo where 89% death rate was recorded. 143 cases resulted in 128 deaths.

25%- The lowest number of death rates occurred in 2007 Ugandan outbreak. Out of 149 confirmed laboratory cases there were 37 deaths. The name of the virus was Bundibugyo.

1996- South Africa had 2 cases and resulted in 1 death. Marilyn Lahana died November 1996. DENOSA has since hosted awards annually in her heroic caring memory.

425- This is the second highest number of laboratory confirmed cases. This was the year 2000 Ugandan outbreak.  This shows how bad the current outbreak of 15351 cases is.

6- The number of outbreaks in the DRC. South Africa, Ivory Coast, Italy and England had one. Uganda had 5, 3 for Philippines and Sudan. Gabon and USA had four while Russia had 2.

Ebola- Ebola Virus Disease previously known as Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever derived its name in 1976 where it occurred for the 1^st time. It occurred in a DRC village near the Ebola River.

                                *Updated 24 November 2014

SOURCES: DoH, CDC and World Health Organisation