Ebola

What you should know about the 2026 Ebola Outbreak in Africa

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to a deadly outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) presently occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the event constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. CDC considers DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan areas of concern for Ebola transmission.

There are currently no cases of Ebola in the U.S., and, according to the CDC, the overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low.

CDC Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation

Why is this important?

This is the third-largest Ebola outbreak ever reported and the largest outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) ever documented. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for BVD. Ebola, including BVD, are not easily transmitted to others by air, water, or food, but can be transmitted through contact with blood and bodily fluids from a sick person, or through contact with, or eating raw meat from, wild animals. Ebola viruses cause severe disease that is often fatal.

CDC Ebola Disease Basics

What is being done to protect people from getting Ebola?

CDC has issued Travel Health Notices for DRC and Uganda.

The CDC has temporarily restricted entry for certain travelers who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan during the 21 days before entering the United States. U.S. citizens and nationals may still enter the country but will undergo enhanced public health screening upon arrival. Air passengers affected by these restrictions and traveling from the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda are being rerouted to one of four airports for screening: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Kane County Health Department (KCHD) are actively monitoring travelers who recently arrived from affected areas for symptoms of Ebola.

What to do if you are traveling to or returning from an affected area?

If you are traveling to an affected country or area of concern:

Before traveling, consider travel insurance (including medical evacuation coverage) and monitor yourself for symptoms during your trip and for 21 days after leaving the affected area.
Avoid exposure to sick people, bodily fluids (including semen) and objects contaminated with them.
Avoid healthcare settings, traditional healers, and funeral or burial practices involving contact with dead bodies.
Avoid contact with wildlife that may carry the virus (especially bats, primates, and forest antelopes), their habitats (such as caves and mines), and any raw meat or bodily fluids from these animals.
If you develop symptoms (such as fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding or bruising), isolate immediately, do not travel, and contact health authorities or a healthcare facility before seeking care.

CDC Recommendations for Travelers Visiting Ebola-Affected Areas

If you are returning from an affected country or area of concern:

Follow KCHD instructions and monitor your health for 21 days after you left the affected country/area.
Take your temperature daily for 21 days after the day you left the area.
Watch out for symptoms:

Fever
Headache
Rash
Joint or muscle pain
Sore throat
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Unexplained bleeding or bruising

If you develop symptoms after returning from an Ebola-affected area:

1. Isolate yourself from others immediately

2. Call KCHD 24/7 line at (630) 208-3801

3. Do not go to a healthcare facility; KCHD will help identifying and coordinating with the right healthcare facility to ensure appropriate treatment and the safety of staff and the public.

4. Do not travel if you are sick

CDC Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas

Additional Resources

CDC Ebola and Bundibugyo Virus Frequently Asked Questions

Ebola

Ebola is a hemorrhagic fever virus that has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976 and named after a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, where it was first recognized. The virus has also been identified in bats and primates. Ebola causes severe illness. Between 50 and 90% of humans who become infected with the virus die.

You can't get Ebola through the air
You can't get Ebola through water
You can't get Ebola through food

You can only get Ebola from touching bodily fluids of a person who is sick or has died from Ebola, or from exposure to contaminated objects such as needles.

Although Ebola outbreaks represent a significant public health issue in Africa, the disease does not currently pose a significant risk to the U.S. public. The Ebola virus does not spread easily. Healthcare providers or family members who care for patients infected with Ebola are at increased risk because they may come into contact with blood or other body fluids.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Ebola include: fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, lack of appetite and abnormal bleeding. Some patients may have a rash, red eyes, hiccups, cough, sore throat, chest pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing or bleeding inside or outside the body.Symptoms most commonly start 8-10 days after coming in contact with the Ebola virus but can occur as early as 2 days and up to 21 days after exposure.

Transmission

The Ebola virus is spread by direct contact with blood or other body fluids (vomit, diarrhea, urine, breast milk, sweat, semen) of an infected person who has symptoms or with a person who has recently died from Ebola. It may also be spread through objects or surfaces contaminated by body fluids of a person infected with Ebola virus, for example clothing or bedding. Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general food.

However, in Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bush meat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats. It can also be spread by eating an animal that was infected with Ebola, including bats.

A person infected with the Ebola virus CANNOT pass it on to others before any symptoms appear.

Treatment

There is no licensed treatment for Ebola virus disease, though both are under investigation. Treatment for Ebola is supportive with intravenous fluids, maintaining blood pressure and oxygenation and treating additional infections if present. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved ERVEBO® for the prevention of Ebola disease for one of the four species of virus causing Ebola (Orthoebolavirus zairense) only. Vaccination is recommended for U.S. adults 18 years and older who are at potential risk of exposure to the Ebola virus.

There is currently an FDA-approved vaccine against Ebola disease, for use in adults 18 years and older.

Prevention

Avoid non-essential travel to areas affected by the Ebola virus disease outbreak. If you are in an affected area:

Avoid contact with blood and body fluids of those who are ill.
Do not handle items that have come in contact an infected person's blood or body fluids.
Use protective clothing (gloves, gown, masks and eyewear) when caring for sick persons.
Avoid contact with sick or dead animals and do not eat wild animals or bush meat.
Avoid funeral or burial rituals that require handling the body.
Avoid hospitals where patients with Ebola are being treated.
Monitor your health for 21 days after leaving the affected area. Seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms of Ebola.