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Pictures of People With Ebola
This article contains a series of pictures of people with Ebola. Ebola is a contagious disease that is often fatal in humans and nonhuman primates. The pictures in this article show people who have Ebola, as well as the healthcare providers who are treating them.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever (also called just Ebola) is a highly contagious illness that is often fatal in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). The virus was first recognized in 1976, and outbreaks have appeared sporadically ever since.
Ebola is caused by an infection with the Ebola virus.
There are four identified subtypes of the virus. Three of the four have caused disease in humans:
- Ebola-Sudan
- Ebola-Ivory Coast
- Ebola-Zaire.
(Click Causes of Ebola to learn more about the virus.)
Researchers have hypothesized that the first patient with Ebola becomes infected with the virus through contact with an infected animal; however, just as scientists are unsure of the animal host for the virus, they are also unsure how an Ebola outbreak occurs.
Human-to-human transmission of Ebola occurs through direct contact with someone who has Ebola or their body fluids (such as blood or secretions). Transmission of the virus is most likely to occur during the later stages of the disease.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD