Questions and answers about Ebola virus disease

Last updated 23 May 2026

What is Ebola disease?

Ebola disease is a rare but severe disease caused by viruses of the genus Orthoebolavirus. It occurs in countries in Africa and can often lead to death, although severity varies depending on the virus species.

Transmission usually occurs from person to person through direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids.

The first documented outbreak of Ebola disease was reported in 1976 in the area what is now in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

What are the symptoms of Ebola disease?

In most cases, an infected person experiences:

  • sudden onset of fever;
  • weakness, muscle and joint pains;
  • headache.

This is followed by:

  • progressive weakness;
  • lack of appetite;
  • diarrhoea (sometimes containing blood and mucus);
  • nausea and vomiting.

The initial symptoms are nonspecific and similar to more common diseases, such as the common cold and malaria. The next stage is more severe, with bleeding from the nose, gums, and skin, and bloody vomiting and stools.

Other symptoms include skin rash, an inflamed throat, and difficulty swallowing. It can take between two and 21 days from the point of infection for a person to begin to show symptoms.

How does Ebola disease spread?

Ebola disease spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of people or animals, with the infection (living or dead). Most infections occur through close contact with someone who is symptomatic or through contact with the body of someone who has died from the disease.

Infection can also occur through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. Sexual transmission is also possible, particularly through semen from a person who has recovered from Ebola disease.

Ebola is not an airborne disease and does not spread through casual contact, such as sitting next to a person with the disease, unless there is direct contact with infectious bodily fluids or contaminated materials.

Some infections have also been linked to contact with infected wild animals or bushmeat in affected areas, including bats and non-human primates.
 

How can I protect myself against Ebola disease?

People travelling to or living in affected countries should take the following measures:

•    avoid contact with people who are symptomatic and/or their bodily fluids;
•    avoid contact with bodies and/or the bodily fluids from those who are deceased;
•    avoid contact with wild animals (including monkeys, forest antelopes, rodents and bats), both alive and dead, and the consumption of ‘bush meat’;
•    wash hands regularly, using soap or antiseptics.

How deadly is Ebola disease?

The proportion of people who die from Ebola disease varies depending on the virus species, the outbreak situation, and access to medical care. In previous outbreaks caused by Bundibugyo virus, around 30% to 50% of reported patients died from the disease. Outbreaks caused by Zaire ebolavirus have generally had higher death rates.

Is there a vaccine available?

Two vaccines are licensed in several countries against Ebola disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus. However, there are currently no licensed vaccines against Bundibugyo virus disease or against Ebola disease caused by other ebolavirus species.

What is the treatment?

There are two drugs that have drastically reduced the death rates of individuals infected with Zaire ebolavirus. To date, there are no treatments approved against Ebola virus disease due to other ebolavirus species.

When should I seek medical attention?

Seek medical attention promptly if you develop symptoms compatible with Ebola disease, such as fever, weakness, muscle aches, headache, or sore throat, and you have:

  • been in an affected area within the past 21 days; or
  • had contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of a person or animal with a suspected Ebola virus infection, whether alive or dead.

If seeking medical care, inform the healthcare provider about your symptoms, travel history, and any possible exposure.

What precautions should I take when travelling to a country with an Ebola outbreak?

Check with your national authorities for travel advice on whether to travel to a country affected by an Ebola disease outbreak and other health information, including access to healthcare for reasons other than Ebola disease.

Where do ebolaviruses come from?

Ebolaviruses are thought to circulate in wild animals in sub-Saharan Africa. They have been found in fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, and duikers, and human infections have been linked to direct contact with such animals.

How can an outbreak be stopped?

Ebolaviruses are thought to circulate in wild animals in sub-Saharan Africa. They have been found in fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, and duikers, and human infections have been linked to direct contact with such animals.

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