The Ebola virus has engulfed three countries in West Africa frightening societies and wrecking economies. This epidemic and those that are certain to come more often in the future threaten the entire world. While Ebola is not contagious – it is not spread through the air – it is highly infectious. Even touching the body of someone who has died from Ebola can infect a person. Between 20% and 50% of all cases have been traced to contact with the bodies of deceased Ebola victims, often at funeral ceremonies. If medicines can be found that reduce the mortality rate in Ebola virus disease (EVD) this will have a knock-on effect reducing postmortem transmissions and significantly slow the spread of the epidemic. It will also encourage people to seek medical attention at Ebola treatment units (ETUs) sooner. That will reduce transmissions too. After Ebola struck, international health organizations eventually descended en mass to fight the virus with the best weapons they knew – mostly rehydr...