Ebola virus disease (EVD) was firstly reported almost 40 years ago in Africa. Since March 2014

a most widespread epidemic of EVD in history has been ongoing in several West African countries. Till  this moment (January 14

2015)

a total of 13 427 confirmed cases have been notified

with a mortality  of 41.03% (4 226/10 300) in Sierra Leone and Guinea. Meanwhile

numerous cases expand our understanding on EVD. The medical contingent of the Chinese PLA to Liberia established the China Ebola Treatment Center (ETC) has operated there for 2 months

and thus we obtained perceptual knowledge of EVD. However

we found that there are still many difficulties in the current treatment. We proposed a new classification criterion according to the  severity of the disease

and divided EVD into 2 types based on its  progression

that is

rapid progress EVD and stable EVD. This classification based on progression  is very helpful for the treatment of EVD. Combined with published literature

we also give a few suggestions on how to prevent and treat EVD in the future

such as

setting up permanent ETC with standard clinical laboratory in high prevalence countries

strengthening pathological studies

promoting rapid bedside test

enhancing life support therapy

developing special equipments

improving personal protective equipment (PPE) and developing  harmless disinfectants

etc.