1.3 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

1.3.2 Physicochemical properties of the virus

The Ebola virus is a fragile single stranded linear RNA virus with an envelope, which does not survive long in the external environment. The virus can however survive for weeks in blood or biological tissue, especially in a cold environment or if the amount of light present is not significant.

It is destroyed by:

  • Heat: 30 minutes at 60°C or 5 minutes in boiling water

  • Gamma rays

  • Lipids’ solvents (such as ether)

  • Beta-propiolactone

  • UVs

The virus is inactivated by:

  • Bleach

  • Soap

  • Detergents

  • Formaldehyde, etc.