How can I make the word virus not redundant in these sentences? Is my revision okay?

Question

How can I make the word virus not redundant in these sentences? Is my revision okay? Unedited sentences: Filoviridae can cause hemorrhagic fever in both human and nonhuman primates like monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees. Its two identified members are Marburg virus and Ebola virus. Five pinpointed Ebola virus species are Bundibugyo virus, Sudan virus, Taï Forest virus, and Zaire virus, all of which are known to cause disease in humans, and Reston virus, which can cause disease in nonhuman primates only.My revision:Filoviridae can cause hemorrhagic fever in both human and nonhuman primates like monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees. Its two identified members are the Marburg virus Ebola viruses. Five pinpointed Ebola virus species are the Bundibugyo, Sudan, Taï Forest, and Zaire viruses, all of which are known to cause disease in humans, and the Reston virus, which can cause disease in nonhuman primates only.

Deadrat · Accepted Answer

I don't think you've overused the word virus. You're not being clear about the taxonomy. It's hard to advise you since I don't know your audience. The Filoviridae is a family of viruses. This family comprises two groupings, one containing the various Marburg virus species and the other containing the Ebola virus species. There are five of the latter (B, S, TF, and Z). "Family" has the right connotation for both biologists and laymen. Biologists will recognize what I called a grouping as a genus (plural, genera), but laymen might not.

If you're dealing with people who understand the technical issues, explain the taxonomy family->genus->species. If you're dealing with people who aren't technical, you might want to start from the bottom: explain the species first.

"Pinpointed" isn't quite right here since the word has the sense of location. There are five known Ebola virus species or five species identified.

Rommel · Answer

deadrat If you're dealing with people who aren't technical, you might want to start from the bottom: explain the species first.

Please let me know if the following revision I have made is fine:

The five known Ebola virus species are Bundibugyo virus, Sudan virus, Taï Forest virus, and Zaire virus, all of which are known to cause disease in humans, and Reston virus, which can cause disease in nonhuman primates only. Marburg virus and Ebola virus are the two identified members of the Filoviridae family. Filoviridae can cause hemorrhagic fever in both human and nonhuman primates like monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees.

Deadrat · Answer

RommelMarburg virus and Ebola virus are the two identified members of the Filoviridae family.

I would say, "The Ebola viruses form one of the two commonly-known groups of the Filoviridae family; the other is the Marburg virus group."

This makes you technically correct, since there's a Marburvirus group (actually a genus) with no space in the name and a Marburg virus species with a space. Same with Ebola, mutatis mutandis.

To my ears, "the two identified members" makes it sound like there are other, unidentified members, and how could anyone know that if they're unidentified? Maybe it's just me.

RommelFiloviridae can cause hemorrhagic

I would say, "All Filoviridae ...."

warning Assuming that's true. A brief time on the google finds that there is actually a third virus in its own group in the Filoviridae. This is the cuevavirus, and I didn't spend enough time find out if it makes anybody sick.

I don't know your audience. If this paragraph is intended as practice in English, it doesn't matter. If you're talking to virologists or even your biology professor, it might.

I like the way you've organized the paragraph. But then I would, since I suggested it. You know your audience better than I do, so accept my advice if you think it makes sense. Don't substitute my judgment for your own.

How can I make the word virus not redundant in these sentences? Is my revision okay?

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