Ebola is a dangerous virus endemic to parts of Africa that can cause severe illness or death through transmission of bodily fluids from infected individuals. While normally occurring as isolated cases, Ebola poses a serious epidemic risk if an outbreak occurs as it can spread quickly between people through direct contact with infected body fluids like spit. Symptoms initially resemble the flu but can worsen to include fever, bleeding, vomiting blood and diarrhea. Scientists still do not fully understand the origins of the virus or have a cure.