Ebola outbreak confirmed
A rare strain of the Ebola virus is putting lives at risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The Bundibugyo species of Ebola involved is one for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and cases have already been reported in a number of locations, increasing the urgency of the response. The outbreak is occurring in a challenging context: humanitarian crisis and a remote and densely populated area, combined with insecurity and high population and trade movements.
The UN system is rapidly scaling up life-saving support, working with partners to help contain the outbreak and protect people and their communities.
Find out how Ebola is transmitted, who is at risk of infections, what needs to be done to stop the chain of transmission and to stop an outbreak.
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Key facts
- Ebola disease is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.
- Three different viruses are known to cause large Ebola disease outbreaks: Ebola virus, Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus.
- The average Ebola disease case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 25¨C90% in past outbreaks.
- Early intensive supportive care with rehydration and the treatment of symptoms improves survival.
- Approved vaccines and treatments are only available for one of the viruses (Ebola virus) and are under development for the others.
- Outbreak control relies on a package of interventions including intensive supportive care of patients, infection prevention and control, disease surveillance and contact tracing, laboratory services, safe and dignified burials, and social mobilization.
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