With the death toll rising and the disease still spreading, the race is on to find a treatment for Ebola. Experts already know lots about the virus and how it attacks, but fighting it with a drug is newer territory.
Since Ebola was first identified, in 1976, every outbreak has been contained with strict hygiene - isolation of patients and suspected patients, ensuring staff wore suitable protective clothing and carried out proper cleaning and disposal of clinical waste.
There have been no drugs to do the job because developing them is extremely expensive, and, until now, the major pharmaceutical companies have not seen enough of a market. That's changing.
Known target
The virus can enter the body via infected droplets (blood, vomit, faeces) through broken skin or mucous membranes such as the eyes, the lining of the nose or the mouth.
Once inside, it rapidly multiplies in the blood, taking over and attacking cells.
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