NYT: For the First Time, a Female Ebola Survivor Infects Others

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Cynthia Goldsmith This colorized transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology displayed by an Ebola virus virion. See PHIL 1832 for a black and white version of this image. **Where is Ebola virus found in nature?**
The exact origin, locations, and natural habitat (known as the "natural reservoir") of Ebola virus remain unknown. However, on the basis of available evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is zoonotic (animal-borne) and is normally maintained in an animal host that is native to the African continent. A similar host is probably associated with Ebola-Reston which was isolated from infected cynomolgous monkeys that were imported to the United States and Italy from the Philippines. The virus is not known to be native to other continents, such as North America.

Previously, Ebola was thought to only be transmitted sexually through males, as the virus can survive in semen for two years. However, in Liberia a woman carried the virus for two years and fell ill a second time soon after giving birth. This is the first instance where a woman has carried the virus dormant and then transmitted it to another person. She transmitted it to her son, who died ten days after his symptoms began showing. Ebola trackers established the group of people that the family came into contact with, all were vaccinated with the Merck vaccine and as a result did not get sick.

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