WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EBOLA AND THE CURRENT SITUATION

What You Need to Know About Ebola and the Current Situation

Ebola cases have been reported in parts of East Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and public concern is growing. People want to know how the virus spreads, which symptoms to look for, and what to do after a possible exposure. Knowing the facts is the first step in protecting yourself and your community.

What is Ebola virus disease?

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe illness caused by infection with the Ebola virus. The virus is believed to live in bats. From time to time it causes outbreaks of disease in people in West, Central and East Africa.

How is Ebola spread?

Ebola spreads mainly through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person. These include:

• Blood


• Saliva


• Vomit


• Semen and vaginal fluids


• Urine


• Sweat

The virus can get into the body through small breaks in the skin. It can also enter through the linings of the eyes, nose or mouth.

You can also be infected through:

• Clothing soiled by an infected person


• Unsterilised equipment used on an infected person


• Handling wild animals, whether dead or alive

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms usually begin 4 to 10 days after the virus enters the body. The illness typically develops in three stages:

• Early stage: fever, weakness, tiredness and muscle pain. These are easily mistaken for malaria.


• About three days later: vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain may follow.


• About a week after that: the person may become severely ill, with bleeding from several parts of the body, shock and organ failure.

What is the current situation in East Africa?

DRC: The current outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus. It began in May 2026 in Ituri province and has spread to neighbouring provinces in eastern DRC. Cases are still rising. As of early October there were more than 8,400 cases, and nearly half of those infected have died.

Uganda: An outbreak in May caused 20 cases, including two deaths. It has now completely resolved.

Kenya: Kenya has reported one confirmed case linked to the regional outbreak. The patient was a Kenyan who had been working in DRC. He flew to Nairobi, was brought to hospital on 3 October and died two days later. His contacts are being quarantined to prevent further spread.

These events show how closely connected disease transmission is across East Africa.

Are there vaccines or treatments?

Earlier vaccine studies were done on other types of Ebola virus, not on Bundibugyo virus. Bundibugyo is different enough from the others that it is not yet clear whether current vaccines protect against it. A study is under way in Uganda to test how well a candidate vaccine works.

Good supportive care matters a great deal. In Uganda, about 10% of patients died, compared with nearly 50% in DRC. Two factors probably explain much of the difference:

• Uganda was able to provide a higher level of supportive care.


• DRC probably has many cases that have not been counted.

What should I do if I think I’ve been in contact with someone with Ebola?

Phone your healthcare provider first. Do not go directly to a hospital. It is important to limit your contact with other people. Depending on the type of exposure, you may be advised or required to quarantine.

What should I do if I think I have Ebola?

Phone your healthcare provider first. They will assess your situation and tell you what to do next. If you need to be admitted, the hospital should be told in advance so it can prepare to receive you safely.

How can I protect myself?

• Avoid travelling to areas where cases have been reported, and to the areas around them.


• Avoid contact with anyone suspected of having the disease.