distinct families of viruses. The usual hosts for most of these viruses are rodents, ticks or mosquitoes, and in some cases, such as Ebola, the natural host is unknown. All forms begin with fever and muscle aches. The patient becomes very ill with respiratory problems, severe bleeding, kidney problems and shock. The severity can range from a relatively

Fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sore throat, and chest pain can occur. The blood fails to clot and patients may bleed from injection sites as well as into the gastrointestinal tract, skin and internal organs.

Ebola virus is spread through close personal contact with a person who is very ill with the disease. Outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever have been successfully controlled through the isolation of sick persons and proper disposal of waste and corpses.