The Ebola virus is a haemorrhagic fever virus, which belongs to a family of viruses called the filoviruses. In the laboratory, it is classed as a Level 4 virus which means it is extremely infectious, very dangerous, often fatal and there is no known cure or treatment. It is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, these are thought to include sweat and saliva.

Ebola is referenced in the Burning Zone on several occasions. it is the disease that killed Dr. Marcase's parents and almost killed Marcase himself. It also proved to be fatal when Allen Covell, Shiroma's fiancee came into contact with it in Zaire. The unknown virus that swept through the airplane in "Night Flight" could also have been related to Ebola, as the symptoms shown were very similar. So how does the Ebola virus kill its victims?...

Victims of Ebola have been described as being like 'walking corpses'. The faces of Ebola victims become expressionless, almost lifeless. Underneath the skin the virus is 'dissolving' the connective tissue which holds the skin in place. The victims no longer have any muscular control of their faces and the faces become mask-like.

The first symptoms of Ebola infection are very similar to the flu. the victim may experience backache or a bad headache and maybe a fever. At this stage the virus is invading the blood cells and is multiplying rapidly. Blood cells soon become full of the virus particles and burst. this results in uncontrollable bleeding (Hemorrhaging). This is an excellent tactic employed by the virus as its primary aim is to spread itself as far as possible and infect new hosts.

Blood flows freely from every orifice of the body including the nose, eyes, mouth, vagina or penis, anus and even the pores of the skin. this results in huge fluid loss from the body.  The blood that is left begins to thicken as more and more virus particles mix with it. The blood begins to clot. These clots get stuck in the smaller blood vessels of the body, causing oxygen deprivation to the tissues they supply. The kidneys and liver are particularly badly affected by this clotting. Small areas of necrosis (dead tissue) are formed and soon spread over the entire organ. Once this happens the body loses its ability to perform 'housekeeping' functions, like clearing the system of toxins.

The levels of these toxins increase and poison the organs and tissues. Damage to blood vessels can lead to minor heart attacks and can result in cardiac arrest the lungs are also damaged and the victim may stop breathing. As there is no oxygen reaching the skin, small patches die, rip open and blood flows out. Other tissues begin to die such as the linings of the gut and lungs. This tissue liquefies and the lining of the lungs is usually coughed or vomited up. The lining of the gut is lost along with huge amounts of blood in profuse diarrhea.

It is almost fortunate that as all this is happening, the brain of the victim is also suffering damage due to blood clots and the victim has a constant stream of strokes. This has the effect of robbing the victim of their senses and personality, so it unlikely that they are aware of what is happening to them. The victim eventually dies of blood loss and multiple organ failure.