Questions and Answers about Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever View PDF
[PDF - 1 MB] What is Ebola hemorrhagic fever? Electron
micrograph of Ebola virus Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is
a severe, often-fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates
(monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees) that has appeared
sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976. The disease
is caused by infection with Ebola virus, named after a river in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa,
where it was first recognized. The virus is one of two members
of a family of RNA viruses called the Filoviridae. There are
five identified subtypes of Ebola virus. Four of the five have
caused disease in humans: Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, Ebola-Ivory
Coast and Ebola-Bundibugyo. The fifth, Ebola-Reston, has caused
disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans. Where is Ebola
virus found in nature? The exact origin, locations, and natural
habitat (known as the "natural reservoir") of Ebola virus remain
unknown. However, on the b