Ebola outbreak in Zaire (1976)

The Ebola outbreak in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1976 was the first identified occurrence of the virus. It caused severe hemorrhagic fever, leading to high fever, bleeding, organ failure, and often death. The outbreak was linked to exposure to infected animals or contact with contaminated blood or bodily fluids. Due to limited medical knowledge and resources at the time, infection control was challenging, resulting in rapid spread among healthcare workers and communities. The outbreak highlighted the deadly potential of Ebola and the importance of rapid detection, containment, and understanding of the virus's transmission.