The Ebola virus, made famous in novels and movies as fast-spreading and deadly, may be prevented by a newly tested vaccine.

Dr. Anthony Sanchez of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the immunization has been tested in primates by U.S. and Canadian researchers.

"The biothreat posed by Ebola virus cannot be overlooked. We are seeing more and more naturally occurring human outbreaks of this deadly disease. With worldwide air travel and tourism the virus can now be transported to and from remote regions of the world. And it has huge potential as a possible weapon of bioterrorism," Sanchez said. "We desperately need a protective vaccine."

So far, there have been over 1,500 cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in humans. Illness starts abruptly and symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, weakness, joint and muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. A rash, red eyes and bleeding may also occur.

Ebola haemorrhagic fever can have a mortality rate of around 90 percent in humans, according to a news release.

Because Ebola virus is so dangerous, producing and testing a vaccine is extremely challenging for the scientists. One significant factor slowing down progress has been that there are only a very limited number of high containment facilities with staff capable and authorized to conduct the research.

The researchers have used several different recombinant DNA techniques, which have allowed them to trigger a response from the body that works to protect against the virus, and others like it.