Rare and fatal, Ebola virus disease (EVD) affects both humans and nonhuman primates. EVD-causing viruses are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. Direct contact with an infected animal (such as a bat or nonhuman ape) or a sick or deceased person who has the Ebola virus can cause EVD in humans (Huang et al., 2014).
One of the most catastrophic transmissible diseases, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is brought on by a member of the Filoviridae family and is one of the most deadly infections that can be transmitted. The recent severe EVD outbreak in Western Africa (2013–2016) brought to light the disease's global threat as well as its effects on public health and the economy. The lack of resources to investigate the Ebola virus's life cycle in vitro and screen for potential active compounds outside of a biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) confinement has so far impeded the development of vitally required anti-Ebola virus antivirals. Importantly, the creation of surrogate models, such as viral pseudotypes and Ebola virus-like particles, to study Ebola virus entry in a BSL-2 environment has significantly improved our understanding of the viral life cycle and led to the discovery of promising antiviral compounds that block viral entry. In this regard, the use of such surrogate systems in conjunction with large-scale small molecule compounds, haploid genetic screens, rational drug design, and drug repurposing approaches will prove invaluable in our quest to create a treatment for EVD (Williams 2003).
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