From the past several years West Africa is experiencing the largest, often calamitous, most severe, most complex outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD) caused by the Ebola virus, a Filoviridae family virus. This virus was first recognized in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa. The Ebola virus outbreaks in 2014 are the most severe outbreak of Ebola in terms of the number of human deaths since the discovery of the virus in 1976. This disease has been classified among the highest priority for bioterrorism agents. The Ebola virus is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of the infected non-human primate. Currently, there is no specific vaccine or antiviral agent available to treat Ebola virus infection. Considering the current situation of EVD, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested its member countries to remain alert for the possible introduction of the virus, to raise the awareness of health care professional precautions for infection prevention. Due to the large number Ebola virus disease outbreaks, WHO implemented ethical guidelines for clinical use of some unregistered drugs that have not yet been evaluated for safety and efficacy in humans.
Keywords: Ebola Virus; Filovirus; Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever; Ebola Virus Disease; World Health Organization;