What Is Ebola? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Ebola virus disease, or Ebola for short, is a contagious illness that is native to Africa. It belongs to a family of viruses known as Filoviridae. These diseases cause hemorrhagic fever — a serious condition that can lead to severe bleeding, organ failure, and death.

Humans contract Ebola from infected animals. After the initial transmission, the virus can be passed on through contact with body fluids.

Since Ebola was discovered in 1976, several outbreaks have occurred, primarily in Africa.

The most severe happened between 2014 and 2016. In August 2018, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Health reported an Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province, which has become the second-deadliest ever. The latest Ebola outbreak was reported in June 2020 by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Ebola Strains

Researchers have identified the following five strains of the Ebola virus:

• Tai Forest (formerly called Ivory Coast)
• Sudan
• Zaire
• Bundibugyo
• Reston

The virus that caused the 2014–2016 outbreak in Africa belonged to the Zaire species.

Reston is the only strain that doesn’t cause severe disease in humans.

Scientists don’t know exactly where the Ebola virus comes from, but they believe fruit bats are the most likely hosts.

Bats carrying the virus may transfer it to other animals (such as apes and monkeys). Human beings can contract Ebola through close contact with an infected animal.

When humans pick up Ebola, they can spread the virus through their bodily fluids and secretions, such as blood, vomit, and feces, and any materials contaminated with those fluids.

Healthcare workers who treat Ebola can be infected if they come in close contact with patients.

Ebola and Animals

Close contact with infected bats or other animals with the virus is one way to contract Ebola from animals. Another is handling or eating bushmeat — wild animals hunted for food — in areas where Ebola is common.

Some studies have shown that Ebola has been detected in dogs and cats that live in affected areas.

Risk Factors

• Travel to areas in Africa where outbreaks have occurred
• Treat or care for other people with the virus
• Conduct research on high-risk animals
• Prepare the bodies of people who have died from Ebola for burial

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the criteria for determining if a person has Ebola early on, includes both of the following:

• A combination of symptoms suggestive of the virus
• A possible exposure to Ebola within 21 days of when symptoms started

If someone does show early signs of the virus and has a possible exposure, public health authorities should be notified. Additionally, the patient should be isolated and given a blood test.

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Prognosis of Ebola

Scientists aren’t sure why some people are able to bounce back from Ebola, while others aren’t. Receiving prompt supportive treatment is one way to improve your chances of surviving the virus.

Learn More About Surviving an Ebola Virus Infection

Inmazeb was tested in a clinical trial during the 2018–2019 Ebola outbreak in the Congo. Roughly 38 percent of study participants who received the treatment died compared with the 51 percent who died taking a control treatment. Inmazeb is delivered intravenously, and now with FDA approval, doctors treating those infected with Ebola should have much easier access to the drug.

Supportive Care

• Receiving extra fluids and oxygen
• Maintaining blood pressure
• Replacing lost blood
• Treating other infections

Medication Options

Another experimental therapy, called ZMapp, combines three monoclonal antibodies that bind to the protein of the Ebola virus, inactivating it.

Ebola Vaccines

The first official Ebola vaccine was approved by the FDA on December 19, 2019. Ervebo, a vaccine developed by the pharmaceutical company Merck, was shown to effectively protect people from getting infected during a trial that took place during the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Because treatment options aren’t always effective for Ebola, some people look to alternative approaches. Most of these methods have not been proven to work and are merely internet claims that you should not rely on if you are ill with Ebola.

• Probiotics These are believed to be immune boosters that may help protect against viruses.
• Licorice Root Licorice root is rich in saponin, which is thought to contain antiviral properties.
• Green Tea The tea has antioxidants that some people believe can combat viruses.
• Turmeric Milk This contains anti-inflammatory agents that may help lower swelling in the body.

Talk to your doctor before trying any alternative treatment.

Learn More About Treatment for Ebola

Prevention of Ebola

• Avoid visiting areas with known outbreaks.
• Isolate infected patients from anyone who doesn't have Ebola.
• Have healthcare workers wear protective gear, including gloves, masks, goggles, gowns, and other clothing, while caring for Ebola patients.
• Decontaminate or destroy any surfaces or materials a patient has had contact with, including syringes, needles, and other medical equipment.
• Clean healthcare workers with a disinfectant such as chlorine, which kills the Ebola virus.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Avoid handling or eating bushmeat.
• Encourage Ebola survivors, who are believed to be immune to the strain of Ebola they had, to help care for people who are sick with Ebola or bury those who die.
• Monitor anyone who comes into contact with an Ebola patient.

The Ebola virus can survive for several hours on dry surfaces, like doorknobs and countertops. And it can live for up to several days at room temperature in body fluids.

Controlling Outbreaks

Since the first case of Ebola, various outbreaks have occurred. Once the virus spreads to people, it can quickly transmit throughout families, healthcare settings, and other public areas.

Spotting cases of Ebola early on may be the key to stopping outbreaks.

“Contact tracing” is one tactic that experts use to identify people who have been exposed to someone with Ebola. It involves tracking down everyone who has come in direct contact with the sick person.

These contacts are watched for signs of Ebola for 21 days from the last day they were around the infected patient. If a contact develops a fever or other classic symptoms of Ebola, they will be immediately isolated and tested for the virus.

Learn More About Ebola Outbreaks

Ebola isn’t currently considered a threat for people who don’t live in sub-Saharan Africa.

Some medical diseases share many of the signs and symptoms of Ebola. Conditions that may be closely related to Ebola include:

• Marburg virus
• Malaria
• Typhoid fever

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Global Ebola Response

Infectious Diseases Society of America

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

World Health Organization