What is Ebola Virus Disease ?
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a rare and deadly disease most commonly affecting people and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). It is caused by an infection with one of five known Ebola virus species, four of which can cause disease in people: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus)Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus)Taï Forest virus (Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus)Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus)Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus), known to cause disease in nonhuman primates and pigs, but not in people Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, the virus has been infecting people from time to time, leading to outbreaks in several African countries. Scientists do not know where Ebola virus comes from. However, based on the nature of similar viruses, they believe the virus is animal-borne, with bats being the most likely source. The bats carrying the virus can transmit it