Ebola virus

Pronunciation: ēb′ō-lă

Definition: a virus of the family Filoviridae, morphologically similar to but antigenically distinct from Marburg virus; the cause of Ebola fever (viral hemorrhagic fever). Transmission is parenteral. After an incubation period of about 1 week, disease comes on acutely with fever, headache, vomiting and diarrhea, weakness, and a maculopapular rash. Gastrointestinal bleeding and other hemorrhagic manifestations, including disseminated intravascular coagulation, may occur. The case fatality rate approximates 80%. Specific prevention and treatment are not available.

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