Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe disease caused by Ebola virus, a member of the filo virus family, which occurs in humans and other primates. The disease emerged in 1976 in almost simultaneous outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Sudan (now South Sudan) [1]. Between 1979 and 1994 no cases or outbreaks were detected, however since that time outbreaks have been recognised with increasing frequency (see table below). The largest outbreak to date took place in West Africa between March 2014 and June 2016, affecting primarily Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Over 28,000 cases were recorded. There are 6 species of Ebola virus, 4 of which have caused disease in humans:
1. Zaïre ebolavirus (EBOV)
2. Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV)
3. Tai Forest (TAFV) (formerly known as Ebola Ivory Coast)
4. Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV)
Published Date: 2022-09-30; Received Date: 2022-09-02
