The word Ebola conjures up horrific images of sickness and death. Movies and television shows have dramatized the deadly results of infection with the virus (Figure 1.1). In fact, the Ebola virus has become synonymous with a gruesome death. The body’s organs “liquefy,” patients succumb to a haze of fever and pain, internal and external bleeding causes oozing blood, and patients often die. Even people who are unfamiliar with infectious diseases have probably heard about the Ebola virus. Much like the Black Plague or AIDS, Ebola is a disease that has transcended medicine to become part of popular culture. And also like AIDS, the Ebola virus has captured the general public’s respect and instilled fear in a remarkably short period of time: Both diseases were discovered barely 30 years ago, and have already made their mark in the history books.