Ebola is a rare but severe and often deadly disease. It is caused by a group of viruses known as orthoebolaviruses. Only four of the identified species can infect humans (Zaire, Sudan, Taï Forest, and Bundibugyo). 

People can get Ebola disease when they have close contact with the blood or other body fluids of infected sick or dead people. 

This can be through: 

• Blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola 
• Objects contaminated with the virus (e.g., surfaces, bedding, needles, syringes) 
• Semen from a man who has recovered from Ebola

Transmission can also happen from contact with an infected animal, such as sick or dead chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope, and porcupines.

People sick with Ebola in the later stages of the illness are at highest risk of spreading it. During this time, their body contains a lot of the virus. They are often vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, or bleeding, which can expose others to their body fluids.

The chance of getting the disease is also high if you come into contact with the body of someone who has died from the disease. This can happen when you prepare the body for burial without proper protection.

If a person does not have any signs or symptoms of Ebola virus disease, they cannot spread it to others. The virus is not usually spread through food, unless someone handles or eats contaminated bush meat (wild animal meat).

Symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after contact with the virus, with an average of eight to 10 days.

Ebola disease is a severe acute illness, usually with sudden onset of: 

• Fever 
• Fatigue 
• Lethargy 
• Muscle pain 
• Severe headache 
• Sore throat 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Abdominal pain 
• Rash 
• Symptoms of impaired liver or kidney function 
• Bruising and bleeding 

Many common illnesses can have these same symptoms, including influenza (flu) or malaria. 

Ebola is a very rare disease in the United States. In other parts of the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, the Ebola virus is more common.

When living in or traveling to a region where the Ebola virus is common, there are many ways to protect yourself and prevent the spread. 

Practicing good hand hygiene is an effective method of preventing the spread of dangerous germs like the Ebola virus. Proper hand hygiene means washing hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 

While in an area affected by Ebola, it is important to avoid the following: 

• Contact with blood and body fluids (such as urine, feces, saliva, sweat, vomit, breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluids)
• Items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids (such as clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment)
• Funeral or burial rituals that require handling the body of someone who died from Ebola disease 
• Contact with bat and nonhuman primate blood, fluids, and raw meat prepared from these animals, or meat from an unknown source
• Contact with semen from a man who had Ebola until you know the virus is gone from the semen

These same prevention methods apply when living in or traveling to an area affected by an Ebola outbreak. After returning from an area affected by Ebola, monitor your health for 21 days and seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms. 

In December 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ervebo. This is the first FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of Ebola disease caused by Zaire Ebola virus in individuals 18 years of age and older. 

Recovery from Ebola disease depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient’s immune response. Some survivors may have long-term complications, such as joint and vision problems. 

Reporting 

Report suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola immediately to the local health department or health service region by using the contact information provided at the link or by calling 800-705-8868. 

There are several laws in Texas (Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapters 81, 84, and 87) that require doctors, hospitals, schools, and labs to inform the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) if they think someone has a notifiable condition (25 Tex. Admin. Code §97.2).

Investigation Guidance 

See a list of diseases and guidelines on the Investigation page.