522 Infectious Disease ProjectRush RoyalsNatalia Rich, Amy Richards, Ryan Rickley, Brianne Riley, and Nicole RoehrigIdentify components of the infection chain and specify modes of transmission for the development of the following infectious diseases : Ebola, Legionnaires' disease, toxic shock syndrome. For each disease, identify ways to "break" the chain of contagion. (This section cannot exceed 3,000 words)Description of Ebola DiseaseThe Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 in Africa near the Ebola River Valley; this rare virus causes hemorrhagic fever and has been active in that region causing mortality rates of up to 90% (Sullivan, Yang, & Nabel, 2003). Until recently, the Ebola virus had not been found in the United States. Chain of infection The Ebola infection chain begins with the reservoir of the infectious agent. Although information about the disease and its course is known, the natural host or reservoir of Ebola has yet to be identified. Scientists believe that animals such as bats, monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas are the cause of the spread of the virus to humans (WHO, 2014). Currently, primates and humans are the only mammals known to be infected by the virus (CDC, 2014a). The Ebola virus pathogen derives from the Filoviridae virus family, which includes five identified species: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus); Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus); Taï forest virus (Taï forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d'Ivoire ebolavirus); Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus); and Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus). Of the first four, cases have been documented affecting humans, but the fifth species is known to cause disease only in primates (CDC, 2014a). The exit portal for the......middle of paper......6F%7DMayo Clinic. (2014a). Disease and conditions: Legionnaires' disease. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/legionnaires-disease/basics/risk-factors/con-20028867Mayo Clinic (2014b). Disease and Conditions: Toxic Shock Syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000273.htmScub, T., & Winn, E. (2005). Quick lesson: toxic shock syndrome. Cinhal Information Systems. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.rush.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=163b920a-312f-4936-b7cf-5b93e17da59d%40sessionmgr4001&vid=37&hid=4212Sullivan, N., Yang, Z ., & Nabel, G. (2003). Pathogenesis of the Ebola virus: implications for vaccines and therapies. Journal of Virology. 77(18), page 9733-9737. World Health Organization (2014). Ebola virus disease. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/