Ebola Virus Name. Ebola virus got its name from the river where the first outbreak emerged-the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa. In 1976 simultaneous outbreaks occurred in Sudan and Zaire causing hundreds of deaths.Infact more than 400 people were killed.bola Virus Name. Ebola virus got its name from the river where the first outbreak emerged-the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa. In 1976 simultaneous outbreaks occurred in Sudan and Zaire causing hundreds of deaths. Infact more than 400 people were killed.