Ebola Virus: A Review

Zaire ebolavirus, more commonly known as Ebola virus (EBOV), is one of six known species within the genus Ebolavirus. Four of the six identified ebolaviruses, including EBOV, cause a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and other mammals, known as Ebola virus disease (EVD). Ebola virus belonging to family Filoviridae is of mainly 5 types and has a high fatality rate in humans and nonhuman primates. Once the more virulent forms enter the human population, transmitted through contact with infected body fluids, can result in major epidemics. It is one of the most virulent pathogens among the viral haemorrhagic fevers, and has been reported up to 90% fatality rate. Mortality is the result of multi-organ failure and severe bleeding complications.