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Ebola virus disease

Ebola and Marburg virus diseases are caused by the Ebola and Marburg viruses, respectively. Both are rare diseases, but can cause outbreaks with high case fatality rates. Most outbreaks have occurred in sub-Saharan countries, notably in the central Africa region. The largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurred in three West African countries (Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone) between 2014 and 2016, with over 28 000 cases and 11 000 deaths.

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Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Ebola virus disease outbreak in Guinea

Facts

Threats and outbreaks

Surveillance and disease data

Prevention and control

Prevention and control measures for Ebola virus disease

Microbiology of Ebola virus disease

The algorithm for detection of Ebola virus nucleic acid in a clinical specimen indicates the steps required to consider a case as laboratory confirmed, as per laboratory criteria.

Latest outputs

News

Postcard from the field: A ‘Field Mission’ from my living room - supporting the WHO epidemiology team during the 11th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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Postcard from the field: Responding to the Ebola outbreak in Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Publication

Ebola virus disease outbreak in Guinea, 2021

Risk assessment -

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Risk assessment: Ebola virus disease outbreak in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021

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News

Outbreak of Ebola virus disease in North Kivu – Democratic Republic of the Congo – 2021

Epidemiological update -

Publication

Communicable disease threats report, 19-25 September 2021, week 38

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Communicable disease threats report, 12-18 September 2021, week 37

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Communicable disease threats report, 5 - 11 September, week 36

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Communicable disease threats report, 29 August - 4 September, week 35

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Communicable disease threats report, 22-28 August, week 34

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Data

How does Ebola spread?

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Data

Ebola: reducing the risk of transmission

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Peer-Reviewed Publication

The contribution of the European high containment laboratories during the 2014–2015 Ebola Virus Disease emergency

Feb 2017

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Unique human immune signature of Ebola virus disease in Guinea

May 2016

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Severe Ebola virus infection complicated by gram-negative septicemia

Apr 2015

Peer-Reviewed Publication

First secondary case of Ebola outside Africa: Epidemiological characteristics and contact monitoring, Spain, September to November 2014

Jan 2015

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Preparedness is crucial for safe care of ebola patients and to prevent onward transmission in europe – Outbreak control measures are needed at its roots in West Africa

Oct 2014