What causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever?

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is an acute hemorrhagic infectious disease caused by infection with a filovirus. The main source of the pathogen is wild animals, especially bats. Routes of transmission mainly include: 1. Direct contact transmission: Infection may occur through contact with the bodily fluids or secretions of virus-carrying animals (e.g., bats), or contact with the blood or body fluids of infected individuals. 2. Indirect contact transmission: Using medical instruments, needles, or sharing items contaminated by the virus may also lead to infection. 3. Sexual transmission: In some cases, male patients who have recovered may still carry the virus in their semen, which can be transmitted to sexual partners through sexual activity. 4. Infection during corpse handling: When handling corpses of individuals infected with the Ebola virus, infection may occur if appropriate protective measures are not taken. The incubation period of Ebola hemorrhagic fever is usually between 2 to 21 days. Infected individuals become contagious only after symptoms appear. Therefore, patients suspected or confirmed to have Ebola hemorrhagic fever need to be isolated and treated immediately to control the spread of the epidemic.