In 1977, the Ebola virus was first identified in Sudan and Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), and is named after the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo where it was discovered.

Between Jun. and November 1976, the Ebola virus infected 284 people in Sudan, causing 151 deaths. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there were 318 cases and 280 deaths in September and Oct..