What is Ebola?

What is Ebola?

Ebola is caused by a virus.

It is rare, very contagious (easily spread to others) and often deadly illness which spreads through contact of infected body fluids (from a sick person or from objects contaminated with body fluids, even door knobs).

Ebola causes fever, pain, diarrhea and bleeding.

It has occurred in Central and West Africa but can be carried and spread by travelers from this region. The largest outbreaks occurred in 2014-2016 mostly in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

On average, 50% of people who get Ebola virus disease die.

Medication and the treatment of symptoms improve the chance of survival. Controlling outbreaks helps keep the Ebola virus from spreading.