Ebola fever, also known as Ebola virus disease or EVD, is a severe and often fatal illness caused by the Ebola virus. Besides Ebola fever, other synonyms for the disease include Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Ebola virus infection, and simply Ebola. The disease is characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, and hemorrhaging. Ebola fever is a highly contagious disease that spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. Due to its severe nature, healthcare workers and other frontline responders are required to wear protective clothing and follow strict safety protocols when handling patients with Ebola fever.