Ebola virus is a member of the Filoviridae viral family of RNA viruses, which are characterized by the long, thin filaments seen in micrograph images. Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 when an outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever occurred in Zaire and another later that year in Sudan. Ebola is transmitted through bodily fluids and/or direct contact with infected individuals. Ebola virus begins to affect infected individuals with flu-like symptoms. Patients are diagnosed by testing of urine or saliva with an ELISA test, however the results are not always accurate. There is currently no treatment for Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Ebola is on the United States’ list of possible bioterror agents because no humans have been found to have immunity to it. The National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases collect records of all new and emerging research on Ebola virus. Ebola is such a great concern of global health today because of its high fatality rate.