Innocuous virus with similarities to Ebola?

It's very hard to study viruses. In fact, they cannot be observed under a microscope due to their size. I don't think it's a good idea

What he said. Viruses that infect humans, for instance, are tested different than say taking a swab then seeing if something grows. Viruses are tested by testing whether the person has antigens for that virus in their blood.

Several types of tests may be used to check for viruses:

• Antibody test. Antibodies are substances made by the body's immune system to fight a specific viral infection. The antibodies attach to a cell infected by the virus and cause the virus to be destroyed. This test looks for antibodies to a specific viral infection. It is generally done on a blood sample. If the antibody is found, this test can show whether a person was infected recently or in the past.

• Viral antigen detection test. Viral antigens develop on the surface of cells infected with a specific virus. A viral antigen detection test is done on a sample of tissue that might be infected. Specially tagged (with dye or a tracer) antibodies that attach to those viral antigens are mixed with the sample. The tagged antibodies can be seen by using a special light (or other method). If the tagged antibodies are attached to the cells, the cells are infected with the virus.

• Viral culture. For a viral culture, a small sample of tissue or fluid that may be infected is placed in a special cup along with cells in which the virus can grow. If the virus grows in the culture, it will cause changes in the cells that can be seen under a microscope. Viral cultures may take several weeks to show results.

• Viral DNA or RNA detection test. Using a sample of tissue or blood or other fluid (such as spinal fluid), this type of test looks for the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of a specific virus. This test can show the exact virus causing an infection.