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Ebola Virus Disease

Taxonomy and Strains

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is caused by viruses belonging to the genus Ebolavirus within the family Filoviridae. It is classified as a Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) pathogen — the highest biosafety designation, requiring maximum containment laboratories for research.

Key details

There are six recognised Ebolavirus species: Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo, Taï Forest, Reston, and Bombali.
Zaire ebolavirus: Most deadly and most common in outbreaks; case fatality rate (CFR) 60–90%; responsible for the 2014–16 West Africa outbreak and the 2018–20 Kivu outbreak.
Bundibugyo ebolavirus: First identified in Bundibugyo District, western Uganda, in 2007; CFR approximately 36–40% — significantly lower than Zaire strain but still extremely severe.
Sudan ebolavirus: CFR ~40–65%; no approved vaccine as of 2026.
Transmission: direct contact with blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected persons or animals; no airborne transmission.
Fruit bats (Pteropodidae) are considered the natural reservoir host.