Ebola disease

Symptoms generally appear within 2 to 21 days of infection.

In the initial phase, symptoms include:  

• fever
• general malaise and weakness
• muscle and joint pains
• headache
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea that sometimes contain blood and mucus
• nausea
• vomiting

After around 10 days, the disease enters a second phase with symptoms linked to several organ systems. These include:

• gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and stomach pain
• neurological symptoms like headaches and confusion
• vascular symptoms like redness in the eyes and throat
• skin issues like a rash
• respiratory symptoms like cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing
• feeling completely exhausted and weak

The disease can also lead to haemorrhagic symptoms including bloody diarrhoea, nosebleeds, vomiting blood, internal bleeding and bruises

Orthoebolaviruses are mainly found in certain wild mammal species, and transmission from animals to humans is rare. However, when it does occur, the virus can then spread from person to person and cause outbreaks. Most infections occur through direct contact with the blood, secretions, tissues, organs or other body fluids of people or animals with the infection, whether alive or dead. The virus can also spread through unprotected sexual contact with a person who has recovered from the disease, or through contact with contaminated surfaces or materials.

One vaccine has been authorised in the European Union to protect against the disease caused by Ebola virus (Orthoebolavirus zairense). However, there are no vaccines available to prevent Ebola disease caused by other types of orthoebolaviruses.

To prevent contracting an infection, it is recommended to:

• avoid habitats where orthoebolaviruses may be present 
• avoid handling or eating bushmeat 
• avoid close contact with wild animals in areas where orthoebolaviruses may be present