Ebola

One of the most deadly viruses known. Ebola causes severe hemorrhagic fever with massive internal bleeding. Its filamentous shape is unique — it can be extremely long, sometimes forming shepherd's crook or circular shapes. The virus is believed to be maintained in fruit bat populations.

Discovered in 1976 by Peter Piot & team (Belgium/Zaire)

Direct contact with blood/body fluids of infected person, contaminated objects, infected animals (fruit bats)

Inmazeb (atoltivimab/maftivimab/odesivimab), Ebanga (ansuvimab), supportive care with IV fluids and electrolytes

rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine (Ervebo), contact tracing, isolation, protective equipment, safe burial practices

Ebola is named after the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, near the village where the first recognized outbreak occurred in 1976!