About Ebola

According to the World Health Organization, Ebola virus disease (EVD), previously referred to as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare yet severe illness in humans, often resulting in fatalities. The transmission of the virus occurs from wild animals to humans and subsequently spreads through human-to-human contact.

First seen in 2007, Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) is a strain of ebolavirus rare that has caused outbreaks in several African countries. Protection against Bundibugyo is still under study, making it harder to control during outbreaks. 

Zaire ebolavirus 

The Zaire ebolavirus strain caused Ebola virus disease (EVD), and was named for Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the country where it was first found. On September 2025, the DRC Ministry of Public Health officially declared an outbreak in the Kasai Province of the DRC, the 16th outbreak since te virus was discovered in 1976. 

Outbreaks caused by the Sudan virus are specifically identified as Sudan virus disease (SVD) outbreaks. Sudan virus disease was identified in southern Sudan in June 1976, and has re-emerged periodically, with seven reported outbreaks attributed to SUDV—four occurring in Uganda and three in Sudan. 

What to know:

• Ebola spreads through direct contact with blood, body fluids (saliva, vomit, sweat, semen), or tissues of infected people or animals, and contact with contaminated objects like needles and surfaces.
• Symptoms start 2-21 days after expsoure and early symptoms include:
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Headaches
  • Sore throat
• The risk level is high in outbreak areas with direct exposure, but a very low risk for the general public outside those settings.
• Survivors can carry the virus in certain bodily fluids for months.