On August 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola epidemic an international public health problem.

The epidemic began late last year. The affected areas are Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. At the time of writing, of the 1711 people infected, 932 have died. Nine people have also been diagnosed with the disease in Nigeria.

While the mortality rate of Ebola virus can be over 90 percent, the current mortality rate of the current epidemic is about 55 percent.

Two American aid workers, Dr. Kent and Nancy Brantly Writebol, contracted the disease, and were flown back to the United States for treatment on a specially equipped plane. At least one of the victims is being treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

What is the Ebola virus?

The Ebola virus was discovered in 1976 when an outbreak occurred in Sudan. To date, five subtypes have been identified:

Zaire: Ebola virus (ZEBOV), identified in 1976, is considered the most virulent

Sudan: Ebola virus (SEBOV).

Côte d'Ivoire: Ebola (ICEBOV).

Ebola-Reston (Rebov), isolated from monkeys in the Philippines in 1989 In 2009, this variant may have the potential to transfer from pigs to humans

Bundibugyo Ebola virus (BEBOV). The first outbreak occurred in Bundibugyo District, Uganda, in 2007. The virus was filed with the CDC in November 2007, and was patented in 2009. It is most closely related to the ICEBOV strain, but is more virulent

The current outbreak involves the Zaire version of the Ebola virus, which produces symptoms within six to 16 days of infection. The virus causes severe immunosuppression, but most deaths are caused by gastric problems and dehydration. Early signs of infection include:

Non-specific flu-like symptoms

Sudden onset of fever, diarrhea, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and abdominal pain

Other less common symptoms include sore throat, rash and bleeding

When the infection sets in, cerebral edema, coagulation disorders, and secondary bacterial infections may appear. Hemorrhage appears four to five days after the onset of the first symptoms, which includes bleeding in the throat, gums, lips and vagina, then vomiting of blood, excretion indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding.

How is the Ebola virus transmitted?

According to Fabian Leendertz, an epidemiologist at the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, the West African epidemic is spread via bodily fluids from contact with an infected person. Those most at risk are women who care for sick relatives, those who handle dead workers, and caregivers.

However, Ebola does not spread as easily as most people might think. Again, person-to-person transmission requires close contact with an infected person and his or her fluids during the later stages of infection, or after death.

Researchers have confirmed that the Ebola virus is not airborne. As with HIV/AIDS, the Ebola virus requires contact with the body fluids of an infected person.

Interestingly, the Ebola virus is inactivated by UV radiation. It is certainly not the first pathogen sensitive to sunlight and this to be beneficial in the fight against disease, although bacteria seem to be more sensitive to UV radiation than viruses.

Natural treatment against viruses in general

For all those who are worried about viral diseases that we hear a lot about, there is a natural solution well known for a long time to aromatherapists, here is a draft of a possible solution that is known to be effective against viruses but for now we know nothing about its effectiveness against Ebola!

• Essential oil of Ravensara aromatica

And/or

• Essential oil of Eucalyptus radiata

A few drops of each of the oils massaged into the crease of the elbow is usually enough to greatly improve the situation.

Especially since the effectiveness of the anti-virals that everyone is talking about is highly suspect....

Remember to always have a bottle of one or the other (or both) of these essential oils with you when you travel (or keep it in your medicine bag).

On the other hand, sun exposure will optimize your vitamin D, which is crucial for overall robust immune function. Let's not forget that only about 55% of infected people die (statistics as of mid-August 2014), this means that 45% of infected people had a strong enough immune system to overcome it; so let's take steps to always have a healthy immune system.