Ebola virus. Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of Ebola virus particles, the cause of Ebola fever. The first outbreak of this filovirus occurred in 1976 near the Ebola River, Zaire. It is contracted by handling material from infected animals, or through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of infected patients. Ebola causes severe and often fatal symptoms. These include fever, haemorrhaging and central nervous system damage. There is no absolute cure for the disease, but if excellent supportive therapy is given, most victims recover. Magnification unknown.