Ebola

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a rare but very serious illness that affects humans and other primates. It was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ebola can cause severe disease and death if not detected and treated early. On average, about half of infected people die, although the fatality rate has ranged from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks depending on the virus species, the strength of the health system, and how quickly patients receive care.

How Ebola Spreads

Natural Source of the Virus

Fruit bats are believed to be the natural hosts of the Ebola virus. People can become infected through contact with infected wild animals such as bats, monkeys, chimpanzees, and forest antelope, especially during hunting, butchering, or preparing bushmeat.

Human-to-Human Transmission

Once a person becomes sick, Ebola spreads through direct contact with:

Blood 

Saliva 

Sweat 

Vomit 

Urine 

Feces 

Breast milk 

Semen 

Other body fluids 

It can also spread through contact with contaminated items such as:

Needles and syringes 

Clothing and bedding 

Towels 

Medical equipment 

Important: Ebola is not spread through the air like influenza or measles. It is also not spread through casual contact such as walking past someone.

Incubation Period

Symptoms usually appear 2 to 21 days after exposure.

When a Person Becomes Infectious

People infected with Ebola cannot spread the virus until they develop symptoms. The risk of transmission increases as the illness becomes more severe.

Signs and Symptoms of Ebola

Early Symptoms

Sudden fever 

Extreme weakness and fatigue 

Muscle and joint pain 

Headache 

Sore throat 

Later Symptoms

Vomiting 

Diarrhea 

Stomach pain 

Rash 

Red eyes 

Impaired kidney and liver function 

Severe Symptoms

Bleeding from the gums, nose, or injection sites 

Blood in vomit or stool 

Shock and organ failure 

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family

Personal Protection Measures

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 

Avoid direct contact with blood and body fluids of anyone who is sick. 

Do not touch contaminated clothing, bedding, or medical equipment without proper protection. 

Avoid handling dead bodies unless trained and equipped to do so. 

Avoid hunting, handling, or eating sick or dead wild animals. 

Cook meat thoroughly. 

Practice safe sex, especially if a partner has recovered from Ebola, since the virus can remain in semen for months. 

Follow advice from health authorities and seek accurate information from trusted sources. 

If Someone Is Sick

Do not care for the person without appropriate protective equipment. 

Isolate the sick person from others. 

Contact health authorities immediately. 

Avoid touching the person's body fluids. 

If You Develop Symptoms

If you have fever or other symptoms and have had contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola case within the previous 21 days:

Seek medical care immediately. 

Inform healthcare workers about your exposure history. 

Avoid close contact with others. 

Do not travel unless advised by health authorities. 

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

Ebola is confirmed in specialized laboratories using tests such as RT-PCR.

Treatment

There is no single guaranteed cure, but early treatment greatly improves survival. Treatment may include:

Oral or intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration 

Correction of electrolyte imbalances 

Oxygen therapy 

Blood pressure support 

Treatment of secondary infections 

Management of organ failure 

Several approved therapies and vaccines have improved outcomes in some Ebola outbreaks.

Vaccination

Vaccines are available for some types of Ebola and are used to protect frontline health workers and close contacts of confirmed cases during outbreaks.

Key Message

Ebola is a serious but preventable disease. It spreads only through direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is sick or has died from the disease. Early detection, prompt medical care, good hygiene, and avoiding contact with infected body fluids are the most effective ways to protect yourself and your community.

For official health guidelines click this link 

The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat has called on all Partner States to heighten surveillance, strengthen emergency preparedness and intensify cross-border coordination following confirmation of a new outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The outbreak was confirmed on 15 May, 2026 by the Minister in charge of Public Health and is centred in Ituri Province in eastern DRC, bordering Uganda and South Sudan. The response is being led by the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare of the DRC with support from partners.

Preliminary reports indicate that the outbreak is affecting mainly the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, with suspected cases also reported in Bunia, the provincial capital and a major transport hub in the region.

As of 15 May 2026, approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths had been reported. Laboratory testing had confirmed at least 13 positive Ebola samples out of 20 tested, including four confirmed deaths.

The current outbreak is the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak in the DRC since the disease was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River. Two cases of Ebola Bundiburyo Virus, linked to travelers from the DRC, have been laboratory confirmed in Uganda, with one death reported in the capital city of Kampala.

The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said the new outbreak underscores the continuing threat posed by epidemic-prone diseases and the importance of regional solidarity and preparedness.

“The EAC remains vigilant and fully committed to supporting Partner States in strengthening surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement, particularly in border areas,” he said.

Hon. Ariik further added that given the high level of movement of people and goods across our region, coordinated preparedness and rapid information sharing are essential to preventing cross-border transmission and protecting the health and livelihoods of East Africans.

The EAC urges Partner States to activate national and cross-border preparedness plans, enhance screening and surveillance at points of entry, and ensure health workers and rapid response teams are equipped and trained to detect and respond to any suspected cases.

The EAC is working closely with national ministries of health, regional institutions, Africa CDC, WHO and development partners, including the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response capacities across the region. This includes rapid activation of the EAC mobile laboratory network to support cross-border surveillance along the DRC border, with UVRI as the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence working closely with the EAC and BNITM to strengthen the laboratory diagnostic response in the region.

Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal illness that affects humans and other primates. It is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of infected individuals, contaminated surfaces and materials, the bodies of people who have died from Ebola and infected animals such as bats and non-human primates.

The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, and infected persons are not contagious until symptoms develop. Early symptoms include sudden fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and, in some cases, unexplained bleeding or bruising. Depending on the virus species and the availability of quality supportive care, case fatality rates can range from 25 per cent to more than 70 per cent.

There is currently no universally approved treatment for all species of Ebola virus, but early supportive care, including rehydration and treatment of specific symptoms, significantly improves survival. Vaccines and therapeutics are available for some strains and continue to play an important role in outbreak control.

The EAC Secretariat encourages the public to remain calm, seek information from official sources and observe public health guidance. Communities are advised to avoid contact with sick individuals and human remains, practice frequent hand hygiene, and report any suspected symptoms promptly to health authorities.

Read also here: https://www.eac.int/press-releases/147-health/3514-eac-urges-partner-states-to-strengthen-preparedness-following-new-ebola-outbreak-in-the-drc 

The East African Community (EAC) Rapidly Deployable Experts (RDE) Pool is emerging as a central pillar in strengthening health workforce development and regional health security in East Africa. Established with support from the German Government through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under the PanPrep Project, the RDE Pool is a structured database and deployment system of trained public health and emergency professionals drawn from across EAC Partner States. It enables rapid, cross-border mobilisation of expertise in response to outbreaks such as Mpox, anthrax, Ebola and Marburg Virus Disease, while also investing in long-term workforce development.

Beyond emergency deployments, the RDE Pool functions as a continuous professional development platform. It supports experts throughout recruitment, training, deployment and post-deployment learning, building institutional memory and harmonised regional standards. Anchored in a One Health approach, the mechanism integrates human, animal and environmental health professionals, fostering a multidisciplinary and coordinated response to complex disease threats that frequently cross borders within the region.

A key example of its impact was the Joint Risk Assessment (JRA) and Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative conducted in Entebbe, Uganda, in late 2025. Experts from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Uganda collaborated using the WHO Tripartite JRA framework to assess anthrax risks and develop mitigation measures. In parallel, over 100 frontline professionals were trained in infection prevention and control (IPC), clinical management, risk communication and outbreak coordination, with RDE members serving as both trainers and trainees to ensure national-level cascade training.

The RDE Pool has also played a critical role in IPC capacity-building during recent outbreaks. Regional trainings in Mwanza, Tanzania, and Lodwar, Kenya, strengthened preparedness for Marburg Virus Disease and Mpox, bringing together health workers from multiple countries and institutions. Through partnerships with organizations such as Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), WHO and other technical partners, the RDE platform enhances interoperability, trust and speed of response across borders.

Overall, the RDE Pool represents a strategic regional asset for health security. By investing in a skilled, mobile and harmonised workforce before crises occur, the EAC is not only improving outbreak response but also building a resilient, future-ready regional health system. As infectious disease threats continue to transcend national boundaries, the RDE mechanism demonstrates how regional cooperation can translate into practical, people-centred solutions that protect health and strengthen preparedness across East Africa.

Read full article on this link .

The 16th outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is showing signs of stabilisation, according to the Ebola – Operation Update #2 (MDRCD047) issued by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The situation report, published on 2 November 2025.

According to the report, the outbreak—declared on 4 September 2025 by the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention—has affected Kasai Province, with Bulape and Dikolo health areas serving as the epicentres. These two areas account for approximately 78% of all reported cases. Since the previous operational update, DRC has recorded 64 cumulative cases, including 53 confirmed and 11 probable infections.

As of 20 October 2025, epidemiological data indicate that the outbreak in the Bulape health zone is increasingly under control. The last active patient was discharged from the Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) on 19 October, triggering the mandatory 42-day countdown required before health authorities can declare the end of the outbreak. If no new infections are detected, the outbreak could be declared over by the end of November 2025. The IFRC stresses that strong surveillance and continued preparedness remain essential during this phase.

Vaccination efforts have also progressed, with 36,975 people vaccinated to date. However, the report highlights persistent gaps in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) measures. Limited access to affected locations, inadequate water supply, poor waste management, and the need for additional training for frontline workers continue to pose challenges.

The IFRC warns that addressing these vulnerabilities is critical to preventing any resurgence of Ebola in the region.

Source: IFRC – Ebola: Operation Update #2 (MDRCD047), 2 November 2025
 

Healthcare professionals from across the EAC Partner States recently convened in Mwanza, Tanzania, for an intensive Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) training. Organised by the EAC Secretariat through the GIZ-supported Pandemic Preparedness Project, the training aimed to enhance regional capacity to respond to outbreaks in Marburg, Ebola, and Mpox.

The training was initiated following a request from Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) for emergency support in response to the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak. Over 60 healthcare professionals from FBO-based health facilities, along with health experts from the Ministries of Health in Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan, participated in the programme, which was conducted in collaboration with the German Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG) and Africa CDC.

Read more

The Government of Tanzania has officially declared the end of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Kagera Region, following 42 days without any new reported cases.

Health Minister Jenista Mhagama made the announcement on March 13, 2025 in Biharamulo District, Kagera Region, stating that the country has met the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for declaring the end of an outbreak. The last confirmed MVD case was reported on January 28, 2025.

The outbreak, which was first declared by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on January 20, 2025, saw two confirmed cases, both of whom tragically lost their lives while receiving treatment. Marburg Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal illness, transmitted through direct contact with body fluids of an infected person.

Minister Mhagama commended the swift and coordinated response led by the government in collaboration with various stakeholders, including healthcare workers, social welfare officers, nutritionists, and community health workers. She acknowledged the technical and financial contributions from local and international partners, as well as the dedicated efforts of responders at all levels.

Special recognition was given to the Ministry of Health’s technical team, led by Permanent Secretary Dr. Seif Shekalaghe, along with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Grace Magembe and officials from regional and district health authorities.

Despite successfully containing the outbreak, the Minister urged Tanzanians to remain vigilant against infectious diseases, emphasizing the importance of maintaining hygiene practices such as handwashing and promptly reporting any unusual health events. She warned that Tanzania remains at risk of other highly infectious diseases, including Ebola, which has been reported in neighboring countries, and Mpox, which has also affected Tanzania recently.

"The government will continue taking all necessary measures to protect its citizens and the international community from health threats," Minister Mhagama assured.

Citizens are encouraged to report any health concerns through the toll-free hotline 199 or by visiting the nearest health facility.

Read more: 

Tanzania Government Statement on Declaration of End of Marburg Outbreak In Kagera Region, Biharamulo District

WHO welcomes end of Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania

Traditional healers join Tanzania’s Marburg response

Uganda is currently grappling with a new cluster of Ebola cases, as reported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on March 6, 2025. This recent development includes three confirmed and two probable cases, spanning five districts. Since the outbreak's onset in January, the total number of cases has risen to 14, with two confirmed fatalities. 

The outbreak was initially declared following the death of a male nurse in Kampala. Subsequently, a four-year-old child also succumbed to the virus. Notably, the new cluster does not have a direct epidemiological link to the initial group of nine cases, indicating possible new transmission chains. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the increase in cases and is actively supporting Uganda's response efforts. This includes deploying experts, providing training in contact tracing, testing, patient care, and delivering essential medical supplies. 

In response to the outbreak, the United Nations has launched an emergency appeal for $11.2 million to support Uganda's efforts in containing the virus and mitigating its socio-economic impact across seven high-risk districts. 

Currently, there are no approved vaccines for the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus responsible for this outbreak. However, Uganda has initiated a trial vaccination program to assess potential candidates. 

Efforts are being intensified to monitor and trace contacts, and communities are being engaged to enhance public awareness and encourage early reporting of symptoms. Despite these measures, challenges remain, particularly in surveillance and contact tracing, as evidenced by the recent cases without clear links to known contacts. 

Uganda has a history of effectively managing Ebola outbreaks, including the 2022 outbreak that resulted in 55 deaths out of 143 infected individuals. The experience and systems built from past outbreaks are being leveraged to address the current situation. 

In February Uganda had announced that all eight patients who had been hospitalized for treatment have been discharged after testing negative twice for the virus in tests conducted 72 hours apart. The World Health Organization (WHO) regional office for Africa confirmed the development, describing it as an important step in controlling the outbreak.

The patients had been receiving treatment in the capital city, Kampala, and in Mbale. Despite their discharge, health officials continued to monitor 216 to 265 individuals who remained in quarantine due to potential exposure. Uganda’s Health Minister, Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, confirmed the recovery of the eight patients and urged communities to welcome them without stigma.  If no new cases had been confirmed in the next 42 days, the outbreak could have been declared over.
 

Recent developments in Uganda's Ebola outbreak from the media:

The ebola outbreak poses a challenge for health workers in Uganda to contain

UN appeals for funds to help contain Uganda Ebola outbreak

About Ebola

Ebola: Transmission, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Control 

In a significant milestone in Uganda's fight against the Ebola Sudan virus, all eight patients who had been hospitalized for treatment have been discharged after testing negative twice for the virus in tests conducted 72 hours apart. The World Health Organization (WHO) regional office for Africa has confirmed this development, describing it as an important step in controlling the outbreak.

The patients had been receiving treatment in the capital city, Kampala, and in Mbale. Despite their discharge, health officials continue to monitor 216 to 265 individuals who remain in quarantine due to potential exposure. Uganda’s Health Minister, Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, confirmed the recovery of the eight patients and urged communities to welcome them without stigma.  If no new cases are confirmed in the next 42 days, the outbreak can be declared over.
 

A lower fatality rate compared to previous outbreaks

The outbreak, which began in late January, marked Uganda’s first Ebola Sudan outbreak since 2022 and the world's ninth recorded instance of the virus. Historically, Uganda has experienced eight Ebola outbreaks since the first recorded case in 2000.

The outbreak has resulted in a total of nine cases and one death, which involved the index patient, a 32-year-old male nurse who worked at a referral hospital in Kampala. The case-fatality rate (CFR) stands at 11.1%, significantly lower than previous outbreaks, where the CFR ranged between 41% and 100%.

The Sudan strain of the Ebola virus is a highly infectious hemorrhagic fever transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and tissues. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is currently no approved vaccine for the Sudan strain. However, Uganda responded swiftly to the outbreak by launching a trial of a candidate Ebola Sudan vaccine earlier this month.

Swift response from health authorities and partners

Uganda’s response to the outbreak has been supported by various health organizations, including the WHO, which deployed 47 experts and delivered seven tons of emergency medical supplies to aid the country’s efforts. WHO Representative in Uganda, Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, emphasized that while the discharge of the patients is a positive development, efforts to completely halt the outbreak are ongoing.

The WHO reiterated that the Sudan strain of Ebola is severe, typically killing at least 40% of those infected, making the lower fatality rate in this outbreak a notable success.

Sources:

WHO: Uganda discharges all eight Ebola disease patients 

CIDRAP: Remaining patients discharged in Uganda's Ebola Sudan outbreak

BBC: Uganda discharges Ebola patients

New Vision: Uganda discharges all eight Ebola patients, health minister says

Daily Monitor: Joy as 8 Ebola patients are discharged

About Ebola

Ebola: Transmission, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and control

Uganda’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and key partners, has launched the world’s first vaccine trial for the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus. This landmark trial, initiated just four days after the outbreak was confirmed on January 30, marks an unprecedented pace for a randomized vaccine study in an emergency setting.

Leading the trial are principal investigators from Makerere University and the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), supported by WHO and other partners. The trial aims to assess the clinical efficacy of a vaccine against Ebola Sudan, demonstrating the impact of advanced research preparedness while ensuring strict adherence to national and international regulatory and ethical standards.

The candidate vaccine was donated by IAVI, with financial backing from WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) also provided critical support.

Read more:

WHO:  Groundbreaking Ebola vaccination trial launches today in Uganda 

IAVI: First participants vaccinated with IAVI’s Ebola Sudan vaccine candidate in Uganda amid Ebola outbreak

Ebola: Transmission, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and control

On 8 May, 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Bikoro Health Zone, Equateur Province in the Western part of the country.

By 15 May, 2018 a total of 44 EVD cases (3 confirmed) had been reported with 19 deaths, including three health care workers. As of 16 May, 393 contacts had been identified and are being followed. A new confirmed case in the 1.2 million people town of Mbandaka, some 150 km away from Bikoro, increases the risk of spreading the disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO), Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organization are on site and supporting the DRC in the fight against the outbreak, the ninth that has occurred in the country.

Ebola is a zoonotic virus disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. Experts believe that bats are the reservoir for the pathogen. While they do not get sick, the Ebola virus causes a severe, often fatal illness in humans. It spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission, via direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people and through contaminated surfaces and materials, such as bedding or clothing. There is no therapy yet for EVD and about 50% of people infected with the virus may die. Health workers have an increased risk due to the nature of their work that exposes them to infected people.

Five out of six EAC Partner States share borders with the DRC, and all of them maintain close trade relations with high border traffic. There are also direct flights between the DRC and individual East African Partner States. These factors have caused the EAC to be on high alert. Partner States have put safety measures in place that range from screening people arriving from DRC at the border posts for signs of the disease to alerting health personnel; enhancing diagnostic capacities at major research centres; and informing citizens of the risk and of preventive measures. To date, no cases of Ebola have been detected in the EAC region.

The EAC region has experienced a number of Ebola outbreaks in the past, and some 500 East African experts assisted in the fight against Ebola in West Africa in 2014-2016, when the disease killed more than 11,000 out of almost 30,000 infected people. These experts represent a unique pool of professionals from different disciplines, all with hands-on experience in responding to EVD outbreaks. They can be mobilised at short notice to join the common effort of preventing the disease to spread into the EAC. 

Still, the EAC Secretariat encourages the public to be vigilant and alert. People should seek medical attention when the following symptoms are observed: a sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, and a skin rash. It can be accompanied by internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools). The public is also urged to continue cooperating with the health workers of their nearest health facilities by availing themselves of information about EVD. 

The EAC Secretariat commends the Partner States for their vigilance and quick and prudent response across disciplines as reflected in the One Health approach. The Secretariat will continue to monitor the situation together with the EAC Partner States to detect any occurrence of EVD in the region at the earliest possible time.