What Is Ebola Virus?
4. What Are the Origins of the Virus?
The first recorded cases of the Ebola virus occurred in 1976. The two outbreaks happened simultaneously in Yambuku and a remote area of Sudan. While researchers know the virus originates from contact between animal and human, there is no definitive answer for which animal it might be. The current hypothesis and evidence suggest that one probable host is the fruit bat. However, researchers and viral specialists require further proof and testing.
Without access to infected specimens, it is nearly impossible to identify the original carrier of the disease, and since the virus does not discriminate between beast and man, it is unlikely scientists will ever certainly identify the origins of the virus. While researchers are attempting to track exposure patterns of past and current outbreaks, the hot spots of infection seem to shift when spread fluctuates, making identifying common factors difficult.
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