An epidemic viral illness seen in southern Sudan and Zaire, caused by the Ebola virus. The illness is characterised by fever, malaise, muscle aches, respiratory symptoms, diarrhoea, vomiting, epistaxis, haemoptysis, haematemesis, rash, tremors and subconjunctival haemorrhages. Transmitted by close bodily contact with infected individuals (blood, faeces and body fluids). Incubation is-21 days with initial symptoms of fever and headache. There is no specific treatment and death can occur within 10 days.
(27 Sep 1997)