Ebola virus

Ebola virus n any of several single-stranded RNA viruses of the family Filoviridae (esp. species Zaire Ebola virus) of African origin that cause an often fatal hemorrhagic fever

* * *

a virus responsible for an acute infection in humans with features similar to those of Marburg disease. Transmission is by contact with infected blood and other body fluids and the incubation period is 2-21 days (7 days on average). The mortality rate is 53-88%, but intensive treatment (including rehydration) in the early stages of the disease can halt its rapid and usually irreversible progression to haemorrhaging of internal organs. Sporadic but short-lived outbreaks have occurred in Africa since 1976, when the virus was first identified during an outbreak in the region of the Ebola river, in Zaïre (now Democratic Republic of Congo). An unknown species of animal is assumed to act as a reservoir for the virus between outbreaks of the disease in humans.

* * *

a virus of the genus Filovirus that causes Ebola virus disease, first isolated near the Ebola River in Zaire; there are four subtypes: Zaire, Sudan, Reston, and CÑ„te d'Ivoire. The natural reservoir and mode of transmission of primary infection are unknown, but secondary infection is by direct contact with infected blood and other body secretions and by airborne particles.