Ebola
Ebolavirus · Filoviridae
Strains
- Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV)
- Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV)
- Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV)
- Taï Forest ebolavirus (TAFV)
- Reston ebolavirus (RESTV)
- Bombali ebolavirus (BOMV)
Transmission
- Direct contact with blood, body fluids (saliva, vomit, urine, feces, breast milk, semen) of infected people
- Contact with surfaces or objects contaminated with body fluids of infected persons
- Animal-to-human spillover via fruit bats (Pteropodidae) and infected non-human primates
- Traditional burial and funeral practices involving contact with the deceased
- Nosocomial transmission in healthcare settings without adequate infection control
- Sexual transmission possible — virus can persist in semen for months after recovery
Symptoms
Sudden onset — days 1–3
- Abrupt high fever (≥38.6 °C / 101.5 °F)
- Intense headache and severe myalgia
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
Gastrointestinal phase — days 3–7
- Profuse watery diarrhoea (up to 10 L/day in severe cases)
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Hiccups — marker of gastrointestinal involvement
- Rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
Haemorrhagic phase — days 5–10 (severe cases, ~50% of patients)
- Petechiae, purpura, and ecchymoses (skin haemorrhages)
- Unexplained bleeding from injection sites and mucosal surfaces
- Haematemesis (vomiting blood)
- Melena (bloody stools)
- Conjunctival haemorrhage (bleeding into the whites of the eyes)
- Multi-organ failure — liver, kidneys, adrenal glands
- Septic shock and cardiovascular collapse
Key clinical signs and ebola symptoms 2026 context
- Non-itchy maculopapular rash on trunk appearing by day 5–7 — diagnostically useful
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in haemorrhagic phase
- Neurological signs in late-stage disease: confusion, stupor, coma
- Post-Ebola syndrome in survivors: joint pain, uveitis, fatigue lasting months to years
Treatment
Two FDA-approved monoclonal antibody therapies for Zaire ebolavirus: Ebanga (Ansuvimab, mAb114) and Inmazeb (REGN-EB3, atoltivimab/maftivimab/odesivimab). Supportive intensive care: fluid replacement, electrolyte balance, oxygen, blood pressure support. No approved treatment for non-Zaire strains.
Vaccine status
Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV-GP, Merck) approved by FDA/EMA for Zaire ebolavirus since 2019, used widely in outbreak response (ring vaccination). Sudan ebolavirus vaccine candidates (e.g. cAd3-EBOZ, ChAd3-SUDV) in advanced trials and emergency deployment but not yet WHO-prequalified. No vaccine for other strains.
Endemic regions
- Democratic Republic of the Congo — Zaire ebolavirus (recurring outbreaks since 1976, 15+ outbreaks)
- Uganda — Sudan ebolavirus and Bundibugyo ebolavirus (multiple outbreaks since 2000)
- Sudan — Sudan ebolavirus (original 1976 outbreak)
- Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone — Zaire ebolavirus (2014-2016 West Africa epidemic, 11,300+ deaths)
- Republic of Congo, Gabon — Zaire ebolavirus (historical outbreaks)
- Côte d'Ivoire — Taï Forest ebolavirus (single 1994 case)
Current outbreaks
Ebola Situation Watch (2026) — Bundibugyo strain
activeActive Ebola virus disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ituri province) and Uganda — PHEIC declared by WHO on 18 May 2026. Per WHO Situation Report dated 18 May 2026: 528 reported cases across both countries (2 lab-confirmed in Uganda, 526 under investigation), 132 deaths, 668 contacts identified (541 in DRC, 127 in Uganda). The DRC has opened three Ebola treatment centers in Ituri; the US State Department issued a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for DRC; the US CDC has restricted entry from affected countries. South Sudan, South Africa and Germany are conducting contact tracing on returning travelers. No vaccine or monoclonal-antibody therapy is currently approved for the Bundibugyo strain. OutbreakWatch syncs counts every 2h via authoritative-source extraction (WHO, PAHO, Africa CDC, CDC, ECDC, ProMED, plus Reuters, AP, BBC, NYT, Washington Post, ANSA, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Süddeutsche, Tagesschau, Bloomberg, STAT News).
Ebola Bundibugyo 2026 — DRC & Uganda PHEIC Outbreak Tracker
activeBundibugyo ebolavirus PHEIC outbreak spanning the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ituri province) and Uganda since 15 May 2026. WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 18 May 2026. Latest WHO situation report: 676 total reported cases across both countries; 132 deaths recorded; 668 contacts identified (541 in DRC, 127 in Uganda). No WHO-approved vaccine or monoclonal antibody therapy exists for the Bundibugyo strain — Ervebo and current mAb therapies cover only Zaire ebolavirus. Three Ebola treatment centers are operational in Ituri. Contact tracing ongoing in South Sudan, South Africa, Germany and the United States. OutbreakWatch syncs counts every 2h from WHO, Africa CDC, CDC, ECDC and ProMED.