The ebola virus is one of the most virulent micro-organisms known, causing a variety of VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER. Like the MARBURG virus, it belongs to the filovirus group which originates in Africa. An epidemic in West Africa in 2014–15 resulted in over 28,000 reported cases and more than 11,000 deaths. This high mortality rate was not the case in the small number of European and US health workers who contracted the disease but were treated in their own countries with intensive intravenous fluid replacement and respiratory and renal support, sometimes with the addition of investigatory use of antiviral drugs and MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY DRUGS. Strict anti-contagion measures eventually reduced spread of the epidemic since it is spread by body fluid contact from an infected person.
As the disease can be neither prevented nor cured, treatment is supportive, with strict anti-infection procedures essential since human-to-human transmission can occur via skin and mucous-membrane contacts. Incubation period is 5–10 days.