Ebola virus disease
How Ebola virus is spread
The Ebola virus is spread in the blood, body fluids or organs of a person or animal with the infection.
For example, it can be spread by:
- directly touching the body of someone with the infection who has symptoms or recently died – the virus can survive for several days outside the body
- cleaning up body fluids (blood, stools, urine or vomit) or touching the soiled clothing of an infected person
- handling unsterilised needles or medical equipment used in the care of the infected person
- having sex with an infected person without using a condom – studies show traces of Ebola may remain in a man's semen many months after he has recovered
- handling or eating raw or undercooked \"bushmeat\"
Ebola can't be caught through routine social contact, such as shaking hands, with people who don't have symptoms.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Ebola Virus
Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that originated in Africa, where a large outbreak occurred in 2014-15.
Is Ebola still a risk?
There's still a small chance occasional cases of Ebola may occur in Africa as the virus is present in several countries there, but the risk for people travelling to Africa is minimal. People who remai
Symptoms of Ebola
A person infected with Ebola virus will typically develop: a high temperature (fever) a headache joint and muscle pain a sore throat severe muscle weakness These symptoms start suddenly between 2 an
What to do if you become ill
Get medical advice as soon as possible if you become ill while travelling abroad. It's extremely unlikely you have Ebola, but it could be another serious condition such as cholera or malaria, so it's
How Ebola virus is spread
The Ebola virus is spread in the blood, body fluids or organs of a person or animal with the infection. For example, it can be spread by: directly touching the body of someone with the infection who
Treatment for Ebola
There's currently no licensed treatment or vaccine for Ebola, although potential new vaccines and drug therapies are being developed and tested. Any area affected by an outbreak should be immediately
Preventing Ebola
The Ebola outbreak in west Africa is now over. The risk of catching the infection while travelling to previously affected countries is very small. But if you're visiting one of these areas, it's still
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