Ebola

Ebola disease is a severe, often fatal illness caused by infection with Orthoebolavirus species, notably Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), and Bundibugyo virus (BDBV). These viruses are classified as Select Agents due to their high lethality, potential for person-to-person transmission, and use in bioterrorism scenarios. The average case fatality rate is around 50%, with some outbreaks reaching up to 90%.

EBOV is the only species with licensed medical countermeasures: two vaccines (Ervebo and Zabdeno/Mvabea) and WHO-recommended monoclonal antibody therapies (mAb114/Ansuvimab and REGN-EB3/Inmazeb). For SVD and BVD, no approved vaccines or treatments currently exist, although several candidates are in development under WHO-endorsed clinical trial protocols.

Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Human outbreaks often begin through zoonotic spillover from infected wildlife such as fruit bats or primates. Health care workers are especially vulnerable in the absence of strict infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Survivors can carry the virus in immune-privileged sites for months, necessitating extended follow-up and testing to prevent delayed transmission.