Ebola

Ebola virus disease is a severe illness that was first discovered in humans in 1976 in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire. Since then, a number of outbreaks have occurred in central and western Africa.

Caused by an infection with an orthoebolavirus, Ebola is highly contagious, but it is transmitted only through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated objects. The incubation period is 2 to 21 days. Currently, Ebola is not considered a threat outside of certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

More about Ebola

Symptoms

Fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding are symptoms of Ebola. Without prompt and appropriate treatment, as many as 80% to 90% of people who become sick with Ebola virus disease may die.

Treatment and Prevention

There are currently two treatments that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat disease caused by the orthoebolavirus zairense species of Ebola.

FDA approved an Ebola vaccine in 2019 that has been found to be safe and protective against Zaire orthoebolavirus, the type of the virus that has caused the largest and most deadly Ebola outbreaks to date. This vaccine is recommended for U.S. adults who are at potential risk of exposure to the virus.