The fact that Ebola kills its host is actually a mal-adaptation. Killing the host is counterproductive, as then the virii in that host die as well.
The ideal virus is one that easily spreads and does no harm to its host, or even improves the survival of its host. Our bodies are full of these organisms, like our gut bacteria.
You could say Ebola is designed to live in another more competitive ecosystem where itβs abilities are rendered less effective thereby maintaining an equilibrium. This ecosystem is the illusive reservoir that epidemiologists are looking for. The suspicion is that this reservoir is bats and that bats have an immune system that can easily pacify the virus.
When the virus is introduced into humans it arrives as an invasive species overloading the habitat and destroying itself.
The ideal virus is one that easily spreads and does no harm to its host, or even improves the survival of its host. Our bodies are full of these organisms, like our gut bacteria.