Ebola Virus Disease

Disease Information

Ebola Virus Disease is caused by the Ebola virus and is one of a number of hemorrhagic fever diseases. Ebola causes severe illness. In past outbreaks, 25–90 percent of those infected die. However, recent advances in health care have reduced risk of death from Ebola. The virus was first discovered in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo near the Ebola River.

Ebola symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain and unexplained bleeding or bruising. Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days.

Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, or from objects contaminated with the virus (needles, medical equipment). Ebola is not spread through the air, by water or by food grown or legally purchased in the U.S. Ebola can only be spread to others after symptoms begin.

Health care providers caring for Ebola patients and family and friends in close contact with an ill person are at highest risk because they may come into contact with blood or body fluids.

For Members of the Public

There are no current outbreaks of Ebola. Information on recent and past outbreaks is available on the CDC website.

• Ebola - Frequently Asked Questions (updated: January 2023) (pdf)
  

Disease Reporting

What is required?

Health Care Providers and Clinical Laboratories

Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of Ebola to local health departments immediately, day or night. If you cannot reach the local health department, call 971-673-1111 to reach the state epidemiologist.

• Health care providers: Use our secure web-based confidential reporting system – OR – use the confidential PDF reporting form.
• See How and Where to Report for more information and local health department contacts.
• Submitting samples for Ebola virus testing at CDC

For Tribes and Local Public Health Authorities

Local health departments are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of Ebola to the state health department immediately, day or night. Call 971-673-1111 to reach the state epidemiologist on call. 

Public Health Resource Links 

• OHA case report form for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (pdf)
• Ebola Investigative Guidelines (pdf) (Updated October 2022)
  
• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Investigative Guidelines (pdf)
  

See Also

CDC Resources

• CDC's Ebola website
  
• Safe management of patients with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in U.S. hospitals
• Infection prevention and control recommendations for hospitalized patients with known or suspected Ebola hemorrhagic fever in U.S. hospitals
• Travel advisories
  

Additional Resources

• Disinfectants for use against Ebola 
  
• Oregon Isolation and Quarantine Bench Book (pdf)