EVD was previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever. EVD causes a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and other nonhuman primates (eg, monkeys). Infection with the Ebola virus is acute, lasting about two weeks.
Of the five currently known species of Ebola virus, four cause disease in humans:
| Species | Abbreviation | Common Name | Causes Disease in Humans/Comments |
| Zaire ebolavirus | EBOV | Ebola virus | Yes; highest case-fatality rate |
Sudan ebolavirus
| SUDV | Sudan virus | Yes |
| Taï Forest ebolavirus | TAFV | Taï Forest virus | Yes; formerly known as Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus |
Bundibugyo ebolavirus
| BDBV | Bundibugyo virus | Yes |
| Reston ebolavirus | RESTV | Reston virus | No; has caused asymptomatic infections |
