Reference
The six ebolavirus species
What separates Zaire from Bundibugyo from Sudan. Why species matters - every approved vaccine targets one of them only.
Last updated
Zaire virus
EBOVZaire ebolavirus
- Discovered
- 1976
- Human disease
- Yes
- Outbreaks
- 17
- Total cases
- 33,849
The most lethal and best-studied ebolavirus species. Caused the 1976 Yambuku, 1995 Kikwit, 2014–2016 West Africa, and 2018–2020 Kivu outbreaks. The only species currently covered by FDA-approved vaccines (Ervebo, Zabdeno/Mvabea) and monoclonal antibody therapeutics (Inmazeb, Ebanga).
Sudan virus
SUDVSudan ebolavirus
- Discovered
- 1976
- Human disease
- Yes
- Outbreaks
- 7
- Total cases
- 962
Second most common ebolavirus species causing human outbreaks. Has caused recurring outbreaks in Sudan and Uganda. No approved vaccines or therapeutics target Sudan virus; investigational candidates exist but did not deploy in time for the 2022–2023 Mubende outbreak.
Bundibugyo virus
BDBVBundibugyo ebolavirus
- Discovered
- 2007
- Human disease
- Yes
- Outbreaks
- 3
- Total cases
- 542
A rare ebolavirus species that, before 2026, had caused only two recognised outbreaks (Uganda 2007–2008, DRC 2012). The 2026 DRC + Uganda outbreak, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by WHO on 17 May 2026, is the third recorded Bundibugyo outbreak. No vaccines or therapeutics approved for human use are known to be effective against Bundibugyo virus.
Taï Forest virus
TAFVTaï Forest ebolavirus
- Discovered
- 1994
- Human disease
- Yes
- Outbreaks
- 0
- Total cases
- 0
A species recognised from a single 1994 human case. Has not caused any subsequent recorded outbreaks. Of mostly academic interest for the broader ebolavirus genus but included here for completeness.
Reston virus
RESTVReston ebolavirus
- Discovered
- 1989
- Human disease
- No (not pathogenic)
- Outbreaks
- 0
- Total cases
- 0
The only ebolavirus species with documented natural occurrence in Asia. Causes severe disease in non-human primates and has been detected in pigs in the Philippines. Despite genetic similarity to pathogenic species, Reston virus has never caused recognised human disease.
Bombali virus
BOMVBombali ebolavirus
- Discovered
- 2018
- Human disease
- No (not pathogenic)
- Outbreaks
- 0
- Total cases
- 0
The most recently identified ebolavirus species. Discovered in bats before any human spillover, which makes it scientifically significant: it offers a window into pre-spillover ebolavirus ecology. No human cases recorded; pathogenicity is unknown.