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Ebolavirus · Virus
Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola Virus Disease is a rare but severe and often fatal illness. There is no endemic Ebola transmission in the United States — the US figures shown are the historical 2014 imported/treated cases. Ebola remains a serious concern for outbreak regions in Africa.
Transmission
Direct contact with blood or body fluids of an infected (symptomatic) person or contaminated surfaces. It is NOT airborne and not spread before symptoms begin.
Incubation
2–21 days after exposure.
Seasonality
No seasonal pattern; driven by spillover events and outbreak clusters in endemic regions rather than seasons.
Symptoms
- Sudden fever, severe headache, muscle pain
- Weakness and profound fatigue
- Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising in later stages
Prevention
- Avoid contact with body fluids of symptomatic patients
- Rigorous infection control and PPE for healthcare workers
- Vaccines (e.g. Ervebo) exist for at-risk populations in outbreak zones
- Safe burial practices in affected communities
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