Ebola virus under microscope published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of US. (Xinhua/AFP)

The true face of the killer

The Ebola virus is one of the four ebolaviruses known to cause disease in humans. It is stable under normal temperature. Only when exposed to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degree Fahrenheit) of heat for more than 30 minutes can its infectivity be destroyed. It can be terminated under ultraviolet light exposure for 2 minutes. It is sensitive to chemicals —diethyl ether or formalin can also inactivate the virus.