The reports for Ebola virus Zaire (EBOV), Nipah virus, and Machupo virus (MACV) 
pathogenesis, in this issue of Veterinary Pathology, are timely considering 
recent events, both nationally and internationally. EBOV, Nipah virus, and MACV 
cause highly lethal infections for which no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
licensed vaccines or therapies exist. Not only are there concerns that these 
agents could be used by those with malicious intent, but shifts in ecological 
distribution of viral reservoirs due to climate change or globalization could 
lead to more frequent infections within remote regions than previously seen as 
well as outbreaks in more populous areas. The current EBOV epidemic shows no 
sign of abating across 3 West African nations (as of October 2014), including 
densely populated areas, far outpacing infection rates of previous outbreaks. A 
limited number of cases have also arisen in the United States and Europe. With 
few treatment options for these deadly viruses, development of animal models 
reflective of human disease is paramount to combat these diseases. As an example 
of this potential, a new treatment compound, ZMapp, that had demonstrated 
efficacy against EBOV infection in nonhuman primates (NHPs) received an 
emergency compassionate use exception from the FDA for the treatment of 2 
American medical workers infected with EBOV, and they are currently virus free 
and recovering.