Ebola

Ebola disease is a severe viral infection. Whilst it is uncommon, outbreaks do happen. Around half of the people who get infected will die from it, although this can vary depending on the virus and the outbreak.

Ebola disease in humans is caused by four different but closely related viruses, called orthoebolaviruses.

• Ebola virus – also known as Zaire ebolavirus
• Sudan virus
• Bundibugyo virus
• Taï Forest virus

Ebola can spread from person to person, which means outbreaks can grow quickly. Three of these viruses, Ebola virus, Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus, have been known to cause large outbreaks of Ebola disease.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal, such as their blood, urine or saliva, or with objects contaminated with them, such as clothing, bedding or medical equipment, during the illness or after death.

Currently, approved vaccines and specific treatments are available only to protect against Ebola disease caused by Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus). These products have not been approved for protection against the other viruses that can cause Ebola disease.

Early supportive care, including fluids to prevent dehydration and treatment of symptoms as they develop, can improve survival.

Once Ebola disease is detected, rapid action is needed to control the outbreak. This includes caring for patients safely, protecting healthcare workers and family members from infection, identifying new cases quickly, and monitoring communities for signs of further spread.

The time from becoming infected with a virus to showing symptoms of Ebola disease is usually between 2 and 21 days.

Early diagnosis is important, but Ebola can initially look similar to other common illnesses, such as malaria or the flu.

Early symptoms often include tiredness, fever, muscle aches, headaches and sore throat. These can then progress into vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, a skin rash, bruising, and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Bleeding, if it occurs, is a sign of more severe disease. This may include blood in the patient’s poo, as well as bleeding from different parts of the body, such as their nose or gums.  

Some people may also experience confusion, irritability and aggression.

The viruses that cause Ebola disease can be found in both humans and animals.

Fruit bats are believed to be the main carriers of these viruses. They can carry them without becoming unwell, allowing the viruses to persist in bat populations and then spread into the wider environment.

Initial human infections usually happen after contact with infected animals, including fruit bats and other mammals, or their bodily fluids.

The virus can then spread between people through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, or through objects contaminated with these fluids.

Ebola is not thought to be spread from a person until they develop symptoms of the disease. However, it is possible to contract the disease from a person who has already died from it, so safe burial practices are an important part of wider outbreak prevention measures.     

Strict infection control measures are needed to protect everyone working with people suffering from Ebola, including healthcare workers, laboratory staff and cleaners.

Vaccines

There have been two vaccines approved to protect against Ebola disease caused by Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus), but they are not approved for protection against the other viruses that can cause Ebola disease.

One of these vaccines, Ervebo, can be used during outbreaks to provide rapid protection. Ervebo is held in a global vaccine stockpile to support rapid and coordinated outbreak responses.

The second approved vaccine, Zabdeno/Mvabea, given in two doses several weeks apart, has mainly been used to protect people at risk before an outbreak occurs.

Ervebo is currently the only vaccine available, as the manufacturer of the Zabdeno and Mvabea vaccine combination is no longer marketing these vaccines.

Treatment

The World Health Organisation has developed guidelines on how to care for people with Ebola disease to give them the best chance of recovery.

For disease caused specifically by the Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus), WHO recommends the use of two monoclonal antibody treatments. These are called Ansuvimab and Inmazeb. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that act like the body’s own antibodies to help fight Ebola disease.

Research is ongoing into developing new vaccines and treatments to protect against Ebola disease caused by the different viruses.    

Prevention and Control

Public health messaging and community awareness of what protective measures can be taken to reduce the risk of contracting and transmitting the infection are important.

People can reduce their risk by avoiding contact with bats and other wild animals and by making sure meat is cooked thoroughly.

If someone becomes infected, they should be isolated as soon as possible. Close contact with them or their bodily fluids should be avoided to help prevent human-human transmission.

People who have been in contact with an infected person should be identified and monitored for 21 days to ensure they haven’t caught the disease. Safe and dignified burial practices should be followed for all those who die from the disease.        

Outbreaks

The disease was first identified in 1976 during outbreaks in a territory formerly known as Zaire, which is now part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and in an area in Sudan, now part of South Sudan. The outbreak in Zaire occurred near the Ebola River, from which the disease got its name.

There have been intermittent outbreaks since. The largest outbreak to date occurred in West Africa between 2014–2016. It resulted in over 28,000 reported cases and was caused by the Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus).  This virus has caused other outbreaks in the DRC, Uganda, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. The Sudan virus has caused outbreaks in Uganda, South Sudan and the DRC.

The Bundibugyo virus has been associated with outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda. In May 2026, WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to an outbreak in the DRC and Uganda.

A fourth virus, Taï Forest virus, has caused only a single confirmed case of Ebola disease, in 1994 in Cote d’Ivoire. Other countries have also occasionally reported cases of Ebola when infected people have travelled to them, or following laboratory accidents. 

Ebola is diagnosed using laboratory tests. Different tests may be used depending on the setting and the facilities available.

Support for those who survive Ebola

Ebola is often a traumatic disease both physically and psychologically for those who suffer from it, as well as for their friends, families and communities. It is important to ensure that those who do survive Ebola disease are properly supported in their reintegration into their community.

Specialised support for people who became unwell whilst pregnant or breastfeeding is also recommended. The virus can persist in the placenta, amniotic fluid, fetus or breast milk for a period of time after infection. The virus can also persist in the semen of survivors, so safe sex practices are required following recovery until the virus has been cleared.