Ebola

Ebola is an infection caused by the Ebola virus. This virus can lead to a serious condition called Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). It can lead to very severe conditions in people and primates, like gorillas and chimpanzees, and it is often deadly. You can only catch Ebola through direct contact with someone who is infected or by slaughtering and eating a sick animal. If someone gets infected, there is a high chance they could die, with death rates between 50% and 90% for those who become infected. The disease is named after the Ebola River in the Congo, where the virus was first found in 1976. That year, there were outbreaks in Sudan and in what was then called Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Since then, Ebola has caused many epidemics in different African countries.

Where does Ebola occur?

Ebola is a very rare disease, but local outbreaks do occur in Africa from time to time. To become infected, you must have had direct contact with people or animals that are infected with the Ebola virus.

What are the symptoms?

• Headaches
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Extreme weakness and fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Internal and external bleeding (sometimes)

How to prevent Ebola?

The risk for travellers is low, even if you visit countries where Ebola is present. It is advised to follow general hygiene measures and to take additional precautions. Recently, vaccinations have been made available in Africa for those at high risk of becoming infected with the Ebola virus, which helps to prevent the spread of the virus. You can also follow these guidelines:

• Avoid contact with blood or other bodily fluids (such as saliva and urine) from infected individuals.
• Avoid unprotected sexual contact, as the Ebola virus can remain in semen for a long time.
• Avoid contact with wild animals and do not consume ‘bush meat,’ which refers to meat from animals that may be infected (such as monkeys or antelopes).

More information

Would you like to know more about Ebola? Please visit the RIVM information page: Ebola | RIVM.