The Ebola virus is a very virulent zootonic pathogen that causes high mortality rates among people. In humans, this virus causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever (severe internal bleeding)and, in some years, mortality can reach 100%. The virus is likely transmitted from wild animals to people and spreads via human to human transmission. There is no vaccine or cure for people. If the virus is so deadly and kills its human hosts, speculate on a possible reason why the virus continues to survive and has not died off with the human hosts it kills in such large numbers.
A)The virus lays dormant until another human host comes along.
B)The Ebola virus is most likely related to other rare human viruses.
C)The virus can kill people without becoming extinct because it survives in its natural host.
D)The virus can exchange genes with other viruses and stay alive.
E)The Ebola virus is in low numbers now, but once people acquire an immunity to it, then the virus will recover.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Ebola virus does not depend only on human hosts for survival as it can also survive in its natural host, likely fruit bats. This means that even though humans may die from the virus, it can continue to exist and spread among non-human hosts without causing harm. This also suggests that finding a vaccine or cure may be more challenging as the virus can persist in its natural reservoirs.

The Ebola Virus Is a Very Virulent Zootonic Pathogen That