[lb1lf]

...plus the -hm- incubation period?

That is - for how long you can transmit the disease without showing symptoms.

The nightmare, of course, being a highly contagious, very deadly disease which let its victims infect others for weeks or months before falling ill themselves.

I recall having read somewhere that a 'good' thing about ebola is that it mostly gets its victims before they've had a chance to travel very far, thus limiting its spread.

[toufiqbarhamov]

The nightmare, of course, being a highly contagious, very deadly disease which let its victims infect others for weeks or months before falling ill themselves.

That’s a very good description of Variola Major, and one reason (along with lethality and disfiguring effects) that it was so terrifying.

[ams6110]

HIV/AIDS also.

[thaumasiotes]

HIV isn't very contagious. That is why dying of AIDS was a strong indicator that you were gay. If it had been able to spread easily, everyone would have had it rather than just a tiny subpopulation.

[api]

Yes, what you describe is the classic doomsday disease.

[alien_]

Sounds much like rabies.

The other critical feature is how easy it is passed on to a new victim, the worst scenario is being airborne.