The Ebola virus was first identified in 1976, localized near the Ebola river, primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan (CDC). The virus is known to affect both humans and non-human primates, including chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutangs. Moreover, there are 5 known strains of the Ebola virus, with the most common among humans being the Zaire virus. In addition, the Reston virus has been found to propagate disease in nonhuman primates but not among human populations (CDC).

Ebola Strains/ Variants:

• Zaire ebolavirus
• Sudan ebolavirus
• Taï Forest ebolavirus
• Bundibugyo ebolavirus
• Reston ebolavirus

Essentially, recurrent epileptic seizures may range in severity from benign episodes to life-threatening or disabling instances. In general, epileptic seizures are caused by an interference in the regular neuronal patterning, resulting in abnormal sensations and behaviours, including convulsions, twitching, muscle spasticity, and a loss of consciousness. Moreover, epilepsy may be attributable to an abnormality in brain circuitry, nerve signaling imbalances, deviant neurotransmitter concentrations, and abnormalities of gated ion channels integral to neuronal signaling. (PUBMED HEALTH) (Bromfield et al., 2006)

The causes of epileptic seizures can be attributable to several inducing factors, namely:

• 1. Idopathic cause (spontaneous/ unknown cause): assumed to have genetic basis, however, no gross anatomical or pathological abnormality evident. General onset is during childhood, and seen in in over 50% of all cases of epilepsies.
• 2. Symptomatic cause: identified brain insult is the cause, tumor, infection, head injury, lack of oxygen (at birth), stroke. Seizures may occur due to developmental disorders or malformations or which progress due to changes in response to an insult or injury
• 3. Cryptogenic: obscure or uncertain cause (more than half of cases)

(Shorvon, 2011)

Several risk factors have been suggested causative agents for epilepsy, namely in disrupting the normal neuronal signaling patterns of the CNS. Some of these risk factors include:

• Age: most common during early childhood and after the age of 60, however can occur at any age
• Family history of epilepsy
• Head injury
• Stroke
• Brain infections: bacterial/viral meningitis, cerebral malaria, etc.