The total blood supply required by the brain

Every minute 750 ml of blood gets pumped through your brain, which is merely 15–20 per cent of blood flow from the heart. An adult brain requires about 20 per cent of the body’s oxygen. To meet this requirement, and other metabolic needs of the neurons, approximately 20 per cent of the blood flow is directed to the brain. Lack of adequate supply of blood to the brain can result in cerebral strokes or haemorrhages.

• • •

Fatality of the Ebola virus

The deadly Ebola virus was first reported in Zaire in 1978. It spreads through the blood and causes haemorrhage in all organs. Internal bleeding results in shock and death. There are no drugs or vaccines against this disease. Fatality rates of the Ebola virus disease have varied from 20 to 90 per cent in the past.

• • •