Urgence
Ebola Disease
Additional Information
Building the legacy of Ebola: Survivors, health systems, and a blueprint for research and development
- Frequently asked questions on Ebola disease vaccine
- Knowledge resources for Ebola
- National plan for the response to the Ebola virus disease epidemic in North Kivu province
- Ebola Response Report 2016
Ebola diseases (EBOD) are rare but severe and often fatal viral diseases that affect humans and other primates. There are six species in the genus Ebolavirus, three of which (Bundibugyo, Sudan and Zaire) have previously caused large outbreaks. Ebolaviruses are transmitted to people from wild animals such as fruit bats, porcupines and non-human primates, and spread through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g., bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.
The first cases of Ebola diseases were detected in two concomitant outbreaks in Sudan and in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1976. Outbreaks have since occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Liberia, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Uganda. Imported cases have also been found in Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa. The 2014–2016 outbreak in West Africa was the largest and most complex ever recorded.
Ebola case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks. With currently available effective treatment, patients have a significantly higher chance of survival if treated early and given supportive care.
Ebola diseases symptoms can be sudden. They include fever, fatigue, muscle, pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases internal and external bleeding (e.g., oozing from the gums, blood in the stool). Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.
It can be difficult to clinically distinguish Ebola diseases symptoms from other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever and meningitis. A range of diagnostic tests have been developed to confirm the presence of the virus.
The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is from 2 to 21 days. A person infected with an Ebolavirus cannot spread the disease until they develop symptoms.
Supportive care—rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids—and treatment of specific symptoms improves survival. A range of potential treatments including blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies are currently being evaluated.
During the 2018–2020 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak caused by Zaire ebolavirus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the first-ever multi-drug randomized control trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of drugs used in the treatment of EVD patients under an ethical framework developed in consultation with experts in the field and the DRC.
Two monoclonal antibodies (Inmazeb and Ebanga) were approved for the treatment of Zaire ebolavirus infection in adults and children by the US Food and Drug Administration in late 2020.
* Ebola disease situation reports are now included in The WHO Africa outbreaks and emergencies bulletin.
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Évaluation et prise en charge des personnels de santé et d’aide à la personne susceptibles d’avoir été exposés, dans le cadre de leur activité professionnelle, à l’Orthoebolavirus ou l’Orthomarburgvirus : orientations pour la mise en œuvre
Ce guide de mise en œuvre de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé aide les établissements de santé à évaluer et à prendre en charge les personnels de santé et d’aide à la personne susceptibles d’avoir été exposés, dans le cadre de leur activité professionnelle, à l’Orthoebolavirus ou à l’Orthomarburgvirus pendant une flambée épidémique.
