8 things you need to know about Ebola

The confirmation of outbreak of Ebola virus in Lagos necessitates increased information-sharing on the virus, particularly ways to avoid contracting it. Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer (pictured with her daughter), died at a Lagos hospital after being taken ill on arrival in Lagos.

Here are eight things to know about the viral disease.

1. EBOLA IS DEADLY

The intention is not to scare anyone, but Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is deadly. According to the World Health Organisation, EVD outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 90%, which means that 90 out of 100, or — if you like — nine out of 10 cases are likely to result in death.

One more proof of its deadliness: Sheik Umar Khan, the doctor spearheading the treatment of Ebola in Sierra Leone — he had, in fact, treated more than 100 victims — has now contracted his disease, and has been transferred to a treatment ward run by medical charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, it is a severe, often-fatal illness primarily occurring in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rain forests.