Ebola is a deadly disease, characterised by vomiting, fever and internal bleeding.

The current outbreak has been declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.

Yet despite the horrific nature of the infectious illness, a friendly-looking Ebola cuddly toy has become a surprise hit.

US toy company Giant Microbes sells the stuffed animals and says it has shipped thousands since the outbreak.

The account manager for the UK branch of the company, based in Modbury, Devon, has told Newsbeat that they no longer have a "single one" of the toys left.

"We've been running the Ebola toy for years but now everyone's after one," said Carol Allam.

"We've sold thousands over the last couple of months. They are all gone. It's because it's so lifelike.

"If you look under a microscope you'll see the shape [of the Ebola virus] is just like the toy."

Giant Microbes says it is most likely that students are buying them.

"It's educational, it's not a toy," she added.

"The only ones we have left are 12 of the gigantic ones, which are 24 inches long (60cm)."

The microbe-shaped toys are designed to be "appealing personalities which can engage an audience at many levels".

Billed as "the T-Rex of microbes", the Ebola toy is a furry brown character with yellow eyes and is advertised with the blurb: "Since its discovery in 1976, Ebola has become the T. Rex of microbes."

Giant Microbes aren't the only one to report increased demand for Ebola-related goods.

Rapper Cam'ron decided to offer his help by producing an Ebola mask with a picture of his face on it.

In an Instagram post, he wrote: "Ebola is no joking matter. So if u have to be safe. Be fashionable. #CamEbolaMask."

According to the site selling the masks, they are due to be shipped to customers in November.

However, as Ebola is not airborne, the masks have no guarantee of protecting you from Ebola.

The World Health Organisation has said that though masks can help, gloves and other protective equipment are also recommended.

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