Ebola Disease
Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses, known as orthoebolaviruses. These viruses can cause serious illness that, without treatment, can cause death. Orthoebolaviruses were discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and are found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
There are four orthoebolaviruses that cause illness in people:
- Ebola virus (species Orthoebolavirus zairense) causes Ebola virus disease.
- Sudan virus (species Orthoebolavirus sudanense) causes Sudan virus disease.
- Taï Forest virus (species Orthoebolavirus taiense) causes Taï Forest virus disease.
- Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) causes Bundibugyo virus disease.
Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus have also been known to cause large outbreaks.
Some orthoebolaviruses do not cause illness in people. Reston virus (species Orthoebolavirus restonense) can cause illness in nonhuman primates and pigs. Bombali virus (species Orthoebolavirus bombaliense) was identified in bats, but scientists don't know if it causes illness in animals or people.
Symptoms
Someone with Ebola disease may start to experience symptoms between 2 and 21 days after exposure (contact with the virus). Symptoms of Ebola disease can include “dry” or “wet” symptoms. Dry symptoms are generic and may appear earlier than other symptoms. Dry symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Aches and pains in muscles and joints
- Sore throat
Wet symptoms can develop after a few days of illness. Wet symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained bleeding
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
How it Spreads
Experts think that fruit bats are the natural hosts for the orthoebolavirus. The virus can get into the human population when people are exposed to bodily fluids of infected animals like fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, antelope, or porcupines. This is rare.
People are contagious once they start experiencing symptoms. People can spread the virus to other people by direct contact with bodily fluids or objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with bodily fluids, like medical equipment, bedding, or clothes.
Orthoebolavirus does not spread through the air, like other viruses.
Scientists are researching the long-term effects of infection. They are learning more about people who survive infection and how long their protection lasts.
At-Risk Populations
Because Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, healthcare professionals and family members caring for someone with Ebola disease without proper infection control methods (like personal protective equipment) have the highest risk of infection.
The viruses that cause Ebola disease pose little risk to travelers or the general public.
Prevention
When living in or traveling to regions where viruses that spread Ebola disease may be present, take steps to protect yourself.
Avoid contact with body fluids
Avoid contact with body fluids from people and animals, including
- Blood, urine, feces, saliva, sweat, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, semen, and vaginal fluid from people who are sick;
- Semen from someone who has recovered from Ebola disease, until testing shows that the virus is no longer in the semen;
- Clothes, bedding, needles, medical equipment, or other items that may have touched an infected person's blood or body fluids;
- The body of someone who is suspected or confirmed to have had Ebola disease (such as during a funeral or burial practices); and
- Bats, forest antelopes, primates, and blood, fluids, or raw meat from these or unknown animals.
Wear protective equipment
Wear protective equipment if you come in contact with people who are sick or have died from Ebola disease, their blood and body fluids, or objects covered with their blood or body fluids.
Monitor your health
If you return from an area with an ongoing Ebola outbreak, monitor your health for 21 days. Seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms of Ebola disease.
Treatment
There are two FDA-approved treatments are currently available to treat Ebola disease caused by the Orthoebolavirus zairense only: Inmazeb™ and Ebanga™. There are no approved treatments for other orthoebolaviruses.
Patients have a much better chance of surviving if they receive supportive care, like:
- Fluids and electrolytes (body salts) by mouth or into their veins;
- Medicine to support blood pressure, reduce vomiting and diarrhea, and to manage fever and pain; and
- Treatment for other infections, if they occur.
2026 Bundibugyo Virus Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of Ebola disease in remote areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. To date, no cases of Ebola disease have been confirmed in the United States because of this outbreak. The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low. For more information about the current outbreak, visit the CDC's website.