Ebola virus ecology:: a continuing mystery

Marburg and Ebola viruses emerged approximately three decades ago, but the reservoir(s) of these zoonotic pathogens and the routes of primary transmission to human and nonhuman primates remains a mystery. Recent outbreaks have been associated with multiple introductions into the population, indicating the circulation of distinct strains that have evolved in reservoir species that occupy different ecological niches. Identification of the viral reservoir(s) is a research priority, with a high impact on public health and prevention.