Ebola FAQ

There are currently no known Ebola cases in the United States, and public risk remains low.

To reduce the risk of Ebola entering the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Homeland Security, and other federal partners, implemented enhanced travel screening and entry restrictions on May 18, 2026, for travelers arriving from outbreak-affected countries in East and Central Africa.

Source: CDC

The outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, one of four orthoebolaviruses that cause Ebola disease in humans. Ebola was first identified in 1976 in what is now the DRC and has caused periodic outbreaks in several African countries since then.

Source: CDC

This is the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak in the DRC since 1976.

Source: CDC

Yes. Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) is one of four orthoebolaviruses known to cause Ebola disease in humans:

• Ebola virus (Orthoebolavirus zairense)
• Sudan virus (Orthoebolavirus sudanense)
• Bundibugyo virus (Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense)
• Taï Forest virus (Orthoebolavirus taiense)

Source: CDC

Those most at risk for infection include:

• People living in an area where an outbreak is occurring, including:
• Healthcare workers
• Family members and caregivers of infected persons
• Individuals involved in funeral or burial practices involving direct contact with bodies

CDC issued a Health Advisory on May 19, 2026, for clinicians, public health practitioners, and travelers.

Note: People traveling to regions where Ebola disease has been diagnosed (or is suspected) should take steps to protect themselves. As a precaution, on May 19, 2026, CDC issued a Health Advisory  to clinicians, public health practitioners, and travelers. 

Ebola spreads through direct contact with:

• Blood or body fluids of infected or deceased persons (e.g. urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and amniotic fluid
• Contaminated objects (e.g. needles, bedding, clothing, medical equipment)
• Infected animals such as bats or primates
• Semen from someone who recovered from Ebola disease

Ebola is not spread through the air, and there is no evidence mosquitoes or insects spread the virus.

Source: CDC

Symptoms may appear 2–21 days after exposure, usually within 8–10 days. On average, people begin showing symptoms 8 to 10 days after exposure. People with Ebola disease may experience “dry” symptoms early in the course of illness. 

Early “dry” symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches and pains

As the person becomes sicker, the illness typically progresses to “wet” symptoms and may include: 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Unexplained bleeding

Source: CDC

Death rates vary from about 25-90% depending on the type of orthoebolavirus and whether supportive care is available. Bundibugyo virus disease has a death rate of 25-50%.

Source: CDC

Be prepared. Although the risk of widespread transmission in the United States remains low, healthcare facilities should be:

• Monitoring outbreak updates – see CDC What Clinicians Should Know (Powerpoint, COCA Call 5/28/26)
• Reinforcing infection prevention and PPE training
• Maintaining screening and triage protocols
• Following the “Identify, Isolate, Inform” approach

Source: NETEC Ebola Resources

PCR blood testing is used to diagnose Ebola disease. Antibody testing may also identify recent infection.

Healthcare providers who suspect Ebola should:

• Isolate the patient
• Notify public health authorities immediately
• Obtain approval from public health authorities before testing

Source: CDC

• All Suburban Cook County patients with symptoms consistent with Ebola virus disease and an epidemiologic link to an outbreak-affected area should be reported immediately to:
  Cook County Department of Public Health – 24/7 Reporting Line: 708-836-8600
• Providers should also notify EMS and receiving healthcare facilities before referral or transfer.

Source: CDC Clinical Guidance

There are currently no approved treatments or licensed vaccines for Bundibugyo virus disease. Survival is more likely with:

• Early supportive care and fluids
• Treatment of symptoms
• Management of secondary infections

Source: CDC

CDC has implemented:

• Entry restrictions for certain travelers from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan
• Enhanced airport screening
• Travel health notices and advisories

CDC also recommends avoiding nonessential travel to affected areas.

Source: CDC Airport Screening Statement (5/21/26), CDC Travel Alert (5/19/26)

• Travelers who were in affected countries in the 21 days before arriving to the United States may undergo:

  • Health questionnaires
  • Temperature screening
  • Observation for symptoms

   

  Symptomatic travelers will receive medical evaluation and may be transferred to a hospital for isolation and further assessment.

  Source: CDC

CDC recommends avoiding non-essential travel to Ituri and Nord-Kivu provinces. However, it has travel health notices in place for DRC  and Uganda  to help Americans planning essential travel to either country, with information about how to keep themselves safe from Ebola.  

People traveling to regions where Ebola disease has been diagnosed or is suspected should take steps to protect themselves. As a precaution, on May 19, 2026, CDC issued a Health Advisory  to clinicians, public health practitioners, and travelers.  

People in affected areas should:

• Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
• Avoid visiting healthcare facilities for nonurgent medical care or for nonmedical reasons.
• Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
• Avoid materials possibly contaminated with blood or other body fluids of people who are sick.
• Avoid semen from people who have recovered from Bundibugyo virus disease until testing shows that the virus is no longer in the semen.
• Avoid visiting traditional healers
• Avoid bats and places they live (e.g. caves, mines)
• Also avoid forest antelopes, non-human primates (e.g., monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas), and avoid contact with blood, fluids, or raw meat from these or unknown animals

Monitor your symptoms for 21 days after travel.

If you develop any symptoms of  Bundibugyo virus disease:

• Seek medical advice immediately
• Separate yourself from others immediately
• Do not travel
• Contact local health authorities or a healthcare facility for advice.
• Before you enter a healthcare facility, alert the healthcare providers of your recent presence in areas known to have Bundibugyo virus disease cases.

CDC is working with health departments and partners nationwide to:

• Enhance traveler screening and monitoring
• Coordinate contact tracing and laboratory testing
• Support hospital readiness and outbreak response
• Assist with patient assessment and management

Source: CDC

As the public health authority for suburban Cook County, CCDPH is: 

• Coordinating with local, state,and federal authorities and designated hospitals, to quickly identify, test, monitor and care for anyone in suburban Cook County who may have been exposed to, or is showing symptoms consistent with, Ebola virus disease.

  If a suspect case is identified, CCDPH will work with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and CDC as appropriate, to conduct case investigations and contact tracing, on-going surveillance, and provide expert Ebola disease prevention and control guidance to the public.  

• Coordinating with IDPH for in-state laboratory testing capacity for Ebola (including Bundibugyo virus), and other causes of viral hemorrhagic fever, as needed.
• Partnering with two Special Pathogen Treatment Centers in Chicago with enhanced capabilities to care for Ebola patients.
• Educating the public about Ebola virus disease and sharing information about suspect, probable,or confirmed cases in suburban Cook County. 

There is currently no FDA-licensed or authorized Ebola vaccine to protect against Bundibugyo virus infection.

The Ebola vaccine licensed in the United States (ERVEBO®) protects against a different Ebola virus species and is not expected to protect against Bundibugyo virus.

There is also no FDA-approved treatment specifically for Bundibugyo virus disease, although supportive care and fluid replacement may improve survival.

Source: CDC Health Alert  

• CDC Ebola Information
• CDC What Clinicians Should Know (Powerpoint, COCA Call 5/28/26)
• World Health Organization Ebola Updates
• Cook County Department of Public Health: 708-836-8600

Contact your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms after travel or possible exposure.