Ebola virus. Coloured transmission electron micrograph of a single Ebola virus, the cause of Ebola fever. It belongs to the group of filoviruses, so-called for their long, thin shape. A number of major outbreaks of this severe, frequently fatal viral haemorrhagic fever have occurred in equatorial Africa since 1976, one in Zaire in 1995. The virus appears similar to, but is antigenically distinct from the Marburg virus which causes green monkey disease. The illnesses from both Ebola and Marburg viruses are similar, with fever, diarrhoea, skin rash, and internal haemorrhage. Death may occur rapidly. Magnification: x29,000 at 5x7cm size. x100,000 at 8x11"~PORTRAIT"