Prevention of infection by highly pathogenic viruses using topical application of povidone-iodine on mucous membranes

A method of reducing the risk, incidence or severity of systemic illness in a human subject caused by highly pathogenic viruses, the method comprising application to the nasal passages of the human subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical preparation comprising povidone-iodine (PVP-I) at a concentration of greater than 0.10% w/v and less than about 1.25% w/v and where the preparation is applied prior to, during and/or immediately after exposure or possible exposure of the subject to the virus or an infected person wherein the highly pathogenic viruses is Ebola Virus (EBOV).