EBOLA, LASSA, ZIKA VIRUSES: DISEASE PATHOGENESIS AND LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Relevance of the topic. Ebola, Lassa and Zika viruses are highly pathogenic RNA viruses that pose a serious threat to global public health. The hemorrhagic fevers and congenital abnormalities caused by these viruses are leading to emergency situations worldwide. According to WHO data, the Lassa virus causes 100,000–300,000 infections and about 5,000 deaths annually. During the 2014–2016 West African epidemic of Ebola virus, more than 11,000 people died. The Zika virus, in 2015–2016 in Brazil, caused more than 8,600 cases of congenital microcephaly in newborns. Studying the pathogenesis and laboratory diagnostic methods of these viruses is extremely important.