- The WHO says the vaccine could be available for use in clinical trials in two to three months.
Geneva|New Delhi – 22.05.2026 [ADN] : The Ebola virus disease is a severe and often deadly viral disease caused by infection with Ebola viruses. It spreads through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of an infected person or animal.
In an update on Friday, the WHO’s head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said the risk in the wider region in Africa was “high”, but it remained “low” at a global level.
Common symptoms
Symptoms usually appear 2–21 days after infection and may include:
Sudden fever
Severe weakness
Headache
Muscle pain
Sore throat
Vomiting and diarrhea
Stomach pain
Rash
In severe cases: internal and external bleeding
How it spreads
Ebola does not spread through air like common cold or COVID-19. It mainly spreads through:
Contact with infected blood or body fluids
Contaminated needles or medical equipment
Handling infected animals such as bats or primates
Treatment
There is no simple home cure. Patients need urgent medical care:
Fluids and electrolyte support
Oxygen and blood pressure management
Specific antiviral treatments in some countries
Isolation to prevent spread
Prevention
Avoid contact with infected persons or body fluids
Use protective equipment in healthcare settings
Safe burial practices
Vaccination is available for some Ebola strains
Where it occurs
Most outbreaks have occurred in parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and other African countries.
Ebola viruses normally infect animals, typically fruit bats, but outbreaks among humans can sometimes start when people eat or handle infected animals.
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