The current outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa is one of the largest deadly virus outbreaks in history. Fortunately, the chances of the virus coming to Canada are slim.

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) can have a fatality rate of up to 90 per cent. There is virtually no chance of survival without prompt medical treatment. Over the last several months, it has been devastating Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, where access to medical treatment is scarce. Estimates at the end of August place the number of suspected EVD deaths in the four countries at well over 1,200, with around twice as many suspected to have contracted the disease.

Why are the numbers so high? The initial symptoms of EVD are similar to the symptoms of other tropical illnesses, such as malaria, which makes prompt diagnosis difficult. Additionally, symptoms can take anywhere between two and 21 days to appear, further increasing the chance of an infected person unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.

Newly infected patients present with headache, fever, muscle pain and intense fatigue. As the virus progresses, patients develop vomiting, diarrhoea, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. Since the virus is transmitted through bodily fluids, these symptoms make end-stage patients extremely contagious. Even after death, the virus can continue to survive, so the possibility of transmission remains.

In addition to ongoing international efforts to quarantine infected patients within each of the infected countries, an EVD vaccine would be a huge boost in controlling and treating the current outbreak. Several experimental vaccines exist, but none have been approved for clinical use. One such vaccine developed in Canada has yet to be tested on humans. It is an attractive prospect though, as it can be effective when administered before or after exposure to Ebola virus.

Scientists may be able to determine the vaccine’s mechanism of action once human trials begin in as little as a few weeks. Currently, there are two hypotheses as to how it works. The first suggests that the vaccine stimulates the immune system in a sort of “race” with the virus. The other suggests that the vaccine competes with the virus for potential target cells. Once a cell is protected by the vaccine, it can no longer be infected and the virus’ spread is slowed or stopped.

It has since been decided by the World Health Organization that the use of experimental vaccines is ethical under the current circumstances. In response to this announcement, Canada has donated up to 1,000 doses of its experimental vaccine.

There has never been a case of EVD in Canada, and it is highly unlikely we will see one. Aside from two infected aid workers who were transported back to the United States — where they were successfully treated using the experimental vaccine — no cases have been reported in North America. The focus has to be on containing the virus to Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, as well as treating those who are already infected.

If you are planning a trip to West Africa, the number one way of avoiding Ebola virus is education — know the risk factors, signs and symptoms and method of transmission. Beyond that, practicing good hand hygiene and avoiding contact with bodily fluids greatly reduces the risk of contracting the virus. For those in direct contact with infected patients, this involves wearing full-body suits, gloves masks and goggles.

For the rest of us, it means covering your cough and avoiding high levels of back-to-school stress to keep your immune system strong. Even though we may not be at risk for Ebola, it never hurts to practice healthy habits.