Ebola disease

About Ebola disease

Ebola disease (also known as Ebola), is a rare but serious illness that causes fever and bleeding and is often life-threatening.

Ebola is caused by infection with a family of Ebola viruses called orthoebolaviruses. Ebola mainly occurs in east, central and west African countries. These viruses are not found in Australia and there have been no cases of Ebola in Australia.

Six species of Ebola viruses have been identified to date, with three known to cause large outbreaks:

• Ebola causing Ebola virus disease (EVD)
• Sudan causing Sudan virus disease (SVD)
• Bundibugyo causing Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).

Ebola disease outbreaks

Ebola outbreaks were first detected in 1976 in areas of Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, there have been several more Ebola outbreaks.

The outbreak of 2014 to 2016 in West Africa is the largest reported outbreak to date with more than 28,000 people infected and over 11,000 deaths. It primarily affected Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. It was eventually contained through improved public health and hospital care and with the involvement of communities to prevent the spread of infection.

Another large outbreak occurred in 2018 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with around 3,500 people infected and more than 2,200 deaths. Since this time, there have been at least nine more outbreaks affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Uganda and Guinea.

Current situation

In May 2026, an Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with cases also occurring in Uganda. The World Health Organization determined the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations.

The risk to Australia is low. The Australian Centre for Disease Control works closely with the World Health Organization and other Australian Government agencies to monitor the situation.

For updates on Ebola outbreaks, please see:

• Australian Centre for Disease Control - Ebola disease in DRC and Uganda
• World Health Organization - Disease Outbreak News (DONs)
• US Centers for Disease Control – Health alert: Ebola Disease Outbreak
• US Centers for Disease Control – Health Alert Network (HAN)

Spread of Ebola disease

A person with Ebola does not spread infection until they develop symptoms. Once symptoms develop, they become very infectious. They remain infectious for as long as the is in their blood and bodily fluids. This can be for many months after recovery.

People can become infected with an orthoebolavirus when they come into contact with the blood, bodily fluids (such as stools, vomit, urine, saliva, sweat, breast milk or semen) or organs of a person who is sick with Ebola or who has died from the disease.

People can also become infected through contact with objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with infectious bodily fluids.

Person-to-person spread usually happens from close contact with an infected person.

Rarely, people can become infected through contact with infected animals, such as from touching or eating animals that have died from the disease. African fruit bats are believed to carry Ebola viruses and other animals such as non-human primates can become infected.

Symptoms of Ebola disease

Symptoms of Ebola appear between 2 to 21 days after being exposed to the virus. They may start suddenly and worsen as the disease progresses.

In the early stages of disease, symptoms may include:

• fever
• muscle and joint pain
• headache
• sore throat
• weakness.

These may be followed by:

• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• rash
• kidney and liver functions can also be reduced.

Some cases present with internal and external bleeding, and may progress to multi-organ failure and death.

People who recover from Ebola can have long-term health problems, such as vision or joint problems.

Risk of developing Ebola disease

The risk of developing Ebola in Australia is extremely low.

However, people who live in or travel to Ebola affected areas, care for people with Ebola or handle their blood or body fluids are more at risk of infection. Hospital workers, laboratory workers, family members and carers are at greatest risk.

Sexual partners of people who have recently recovered from Ebola are also at risk, especially if they have contact with semen.

Diagnosis of Ebola disease

Ebola is usually diagnosed by testing the blood or other bodily fluids for Ebola viruses.

If Ebola is considered a possibility or diagnosed, the person is cared for in a healthcare facility under isolation and with strict infection prevention and control measures.

Treatment of Ebola disease

There is no specific treatment for Ebola. Treatment is mainly supportive and aimed at managing symptoms and complications. Antiviral medications may be used for infections with certain species of Ebola viruses.

Prevention of Ebola disease

There are no readily available vaccines to protect against Ebola in Australia.

People travelling to countries where Ebola occurs are recommended to:

• check and follow travel advice on Smartraveller
• not travel to areas affected by Ebola outbreaks
• avoid contact with:
  • blood or other bodily fluids of anyone who is unwell (alive or dead)
  • objects or surface contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids of anyone who is unwell
• not interact with wild animals
• practise good hand washing
• practise safe sex

Anyone who has travelled to an Ebola affected area should monitor for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms such as fever and muscle and joint pain, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or unexplained bleeding or bruising develop, seek urgent medical care.

Public health response for Ebola disease

In Australia, Ebola is a quarantinable disease under human biosecurity laws. Anyone entering Australia who is suspected of having Ebola is transferred to a specialised medical facility for testing and treatment.

In Victoria, there are systems in place to identify and manage Ebola. It is a notifiable disease under public health laws. Doctors and laboratories must notify suspected and confirmed cases of Ebola immediately. The Department of Health and Local Public Health Units follow up on cases and contacts to prevent the spread of infection.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000)
• Your GP (doctor)
• Nurse-on-Call - 1300 60 60 24 (24 hours, 7 days) - for confidential health advice from a registered nurse
• Find your Local Public Health Unit
• Smartraveller, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Travel Advice Tel. 1300 555 135 from within Australia, or +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas