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Problems of etiology, taxonomy and nomenclature offiloviruses, epidemiology, morbidity with a little-known by Russian medics especially dangerous exotic infectious disease - Ebola fever are examined. Significant distinguishing features of 2013 - 2015 epidemic in West Africa were de- tected - along with its unprecedented length, a decline did not take place as in previous outbreaks, neither causative agent virulence, nor infectivity of the infection during multiple generations from human to human. Literature data analysis allowed to assume that in the process of epidemic focus formation Ebola virus changes its properties and cyclically passes through several successive in- terconnected phases: an initial reservation phase in unknown ecosystems - animals, either plant, soil or water; intermediate phase of epidemic spread with primary acquisition of high virulence for humans, and then its decline; final stage of hidden circulation of causative agent that is ap- athogenic for humans. This hypothetical chain of natural phases' transitions of Ebola virus allows to explain and link together phenomenology of this causative agent - rapid fall of virulence and infectivity for humans in foci in dynamics of epidemic outbreaks, quite a high population immunity in nosoareal of the causative agent in Africa, that contradicts the established understanding of its high lethality for humans.

Acceptable means of therapy and prophylaxis for most of the especially dangerous viral hemorrhagic fevers to present date are lacking. Analysis of the state of this problem shows that creation of a new generation of etiotropic preparations requires selection of additional targets for their effect that may be based on the use of molecular-biological features of pathogenesis of these infections. Literature data analysis has shown that during filovirus infection non-structural and structural proteins of the causative agents serve as pathogens during direct damaging effect of the virus and secondary immune reactions that in general pervert cell and humoral components of immunity converting its destructive effect on cells and tissues of the macro organism. Selection of promising approaches of antiviral therapy is possible based on molecular-biological analysis of interaction of micro- and macro organism with isolation of the most vulnerable for the effect of causative agent aggression factors.

The evaluation of the biological and epidemiological properties of Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and Machupo viruses suggests that they are of social importance for health care authorities. The studies have created prerequisites to the development of reliable biosafety means against these pathogens. Particular emphasis is laid on the methods for infection diagnosis and on the studies to design specific protective agents--immunoglobulins and inactivated vaccines.