Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever) is a severe, often fatal illness, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. It is one of the world's most virulent diseases.The infection is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people. Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. During an outbreak, those at higher risk of infection are health workers, family members and others in close contact with sick people and deceased patients.

Ebola virus disease outbreaks can devastate families and communities, but the infection can be controlled through the use of recommended protective measures in clinics and hospitals, at community gatherings, or at home.

Key facts

? Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.

? EVD outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 90%.

? EVD outbreaks occur primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests.

? The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.

? Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered to be the natural host of the Ebola virus.

? Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. No licensed specific treatment or vaccine is available for use in people or animals.