On the basis of available evidence, and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is zoonotic (animal-borne) and is normally maintained in an animal host that is native to the African continent; however, the exact locations, origin, and natural habitat (known as the natural reservoir) of
the Ebola virus remain unknown.
Ebola research scientists continue to search for the exact animal host.
Ebola-Reston was isolated from infected cynomolgus monkeys that were imported from the Philippines, to the United States and Italy, and is probably associated with similar host. The
Ebola virus is not known to be native to other continents, such as North America.
Ebola outbreaks typically appear sporadically. Confirmed cases of Ebola virus infections have been reported in:
- The Ivory Coast
- Sudan
- Gabon
- Uganda
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
How Do Outbreaks of Ebola Begin?
Researchers have hypothesized that the first patient with Ebola becomes infected with Ebola virus through contact with an infected animal; however, just as scientists are unsure of the animal host for the Ebola virus, they are also unsure how an Ebola virus outbreak occurs.
Ebola in the United States
No case of Ebola virus infection in humans has ever been reported in the United States. Ebola-Reston virus caused severe illness and death in monkeys imported to research facilities in the United States and Italy from the Philippines; during these Ebola outbreaks, several research workers became infected with the Ebola virus, but did not become ill.
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print