EBOV is one of the most virulent agents in humans and has
caused sporadic outbreaks primarily localized to the humid,
remote rainforests of sub-Saharan Africa since its discovery in
1976. Initial symptoms of EBOV infection are similar to that of
other more common pathogens, such as fever, nausea, diarrhea
and general malaise before a rapid progression to more specific
indications including hemorrhage, multi-organ failure and a condition
resembling septic shock (Feldmann and Geisbert, 2011). Death
is the outcome in up to 90% of human cases, occurring between 6
and 10 days after the onset of symptoms (Feldmann and Geisbert,
2011). Clinically approved prophylaxis and post-exposure therapeutics
currently do not exist for victims of EBOV infection. Due
to the size and scale of the 2014 EBOV outbreak in West Africa, several
experimental vaccines are being fast-tracked through clinical
trials in an attempt to protect frontline health workers and limit
the number of new infections.