Description
The genus Ebolavirus is a virological taxon included in the family Filoviridae, order Mononegavirales. The members of this genus are called ebolaviruses. The six known virus species are named for the region where each was originally identified: Bundibugyo ebolavirus, Reston ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus, Taï Forest ebolavirus (originally Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus), Zaire ebolavirus, and Bombali ebolavirus. The last is the most recent species to be named and was isolated from Angolan free-tailed bats in Sierra Leone.
EBOV causes acute hemorrhagic fever and illness. The infected individual becomes abruptly ill while initially displaying unspecific symptoms such as severe headache, myalgia, fever, bradycardia, malaise, and conjunctivitis. While quickly deteriorating over the next 2-3 days while experiencing severe nausea, pharyngitis, hematemesis, melena, prostration, and obtundation. Further deterioration includes uncontrolled bleeding from visceral hemorrhagic effusions, as well as venipuncture sites.
