Ebola

Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses, known as Ortho-Ebolaviruses (formerly Ebolavirus). These viruses can cause serious illness that, without treatment, can cause death. Ortho-Ebolaviruses are found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ebola can be very serious for most people. Health care providers and family members caring for someone with Ebola disease without proper infection control methods have the highest risk of infection.

The viruses that cause Ebola disease pose little risk to travelers not going to affected areas or the general public.

People can get Ebola disease through contact with the body fluids of an infected sick or dead person. A person is only contagious once they begin showing symptoms of the disease. You cannot get Ebola from simply being near someone or passing them in public spaces because it doesn't spread through the air.

Rarely, some people can get the disease from contact with an infected animal, like a bat or non-human primate.

Global public health authorities are responding to a large outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan.

If you live in or are traveling to regions where Ebola disease has been diagnosed or is suspected, take steps to protect yourself. 

Avoid contact with body fluids, including: 

• Blood, urine, feces, saliva, sweat, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, semen and vaginal fluid from people who are sick 
• Semen from someone who has recovered from Ebola disease until testing shows that the virus is no longer in the semen 

Also, avoid contact with: 

• Clothes, bedding, needles, medical equipment or other items that may have touched an infected person's blood or body fluids 
• The body of someone who is suspected or confirmed to have had Ebola disease (for instance, as part of a funeral or burial practices) 
• Bats, forest antelopes, primates, and blood, fluids or raw meat from these or unknown animals 

If you return from an area with an ongoing Ebola outbreak, monitor your health for 21 days. Seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms of Ebola disease. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved ERVEBO® for the prevention of Ebola disease in species OrthoEbolavirus zairense only. Vaccination is recommended for U.S. adults 18 years and older who are at potential risk of exposure to the Ebola virus. However, this vaccine does not prevent the specific strain of Ebola from this outbreak.

Clinical signs and symptoms paired with PCR laboratory testing by your local health care provider and the health department are used to diagnose Ebola.

Someone with Ebola disease may start getting sick 2 to 21 days after contact with an OrthoEbolavirus. However, on average, symptoms begin 8 to 10 days after exposure. People with Ebola disease may experience "dry" symptoms early in the course of illness. These symptoms may include fever, aches, pains and fatigue. As the person becomes sicker, the illness typically progresses to "wet" symptoms and may include diarrhea, vomiting and unexplained bleeding.

A person being tested for Ebola, or with suspected or confirmed Ebola should isolate at home and avoid contact with any family members.

If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above, please get in touch with your provider or the local emergency department for next steps.

To reduce the potential risk of infecting others, consider scheduling a virtual visit with a primary care or urgent care provider first. To connect with a Memorial Hermann provider virtually, click here.

The safety and well-being of our patients, visitors, staff and affiliated physicians are our top priorities. Call the provider office, urgent care or emergency department prior to arriving on site for next steps if you:

• Suspect or have confirmed Ebola
• Have traveled to or returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda or South Sudan.
• Have had a recent Ebola exposure
• Are experiencing any of the above Ebola symptoms

If you are told to come in, please wear a mask and advise the front desk immediately of your travel history and symptoms.

Given the highly contagious nature of the virus, consider scheduling a virtual visit or go to the nearest emergency department for evaluation and next steps. To connect with a Memorial Hermann provider virtually, click here.

For more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) about Ebola symptoms and treatment, click here.