What to know about Ebola symptoms as regional outbreak raises alarm
By Cynthia Lodite, May 21, 2026Ebola disease (EBOD) is a rare but severe illness in humans which is often fatal. Ebola disease is caused by viruses that belong to the Orthoebolavirus genus of the filoviridae family (2).
Six species of Orthoebolaviruses have been identified to date, with three known to cause large outbreaks: Ebola virus (EBOV), causing Ebola virus disease (EVD); Sudan virus (SUDV), causing Sudan virus disease (SVD); and Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), causing Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).
Symptoms
WHO says it can be difficult to clinically distinguish Ebola disease from other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, shigellosis, meningitis and other viral haemorrhagic fevers because symptoms at the early stage of the disease are similar.
A report by the World Health Organisation says that the incubation period or interval from infection to onset of symptoms varies from 2 to 21 days.
The symptoms of Ebola disease can be sudden and include fever, fatigue, malaise, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.
These are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rash, and symptoms of impaired kidney and liver functions. The WHO explains that Health and care workers need to be on the lookout for these symptoms.
Despite a perception that bleeding is a common symptom, this is less frequent and can occur later in the disease. Some patients may develop internal and external bleeding, including blood in vomit and faeces, bleeding from the nose, gums and vagina.
Bleeding at the sites where needles have punctured the skin can also occur. The impact on the central nervous system can result in confusion, irritability and aggression.
Self-protection
The WHO says several simple measures should be adopted on a community level to limit the risk of transmission: avoid any contact with the bodily fluids of a sick or deceased person, and rigorously apply hygiene measures, notably regular handwashing.
The health agency also stresses the importance of promptly reporting any suspected case and consulting a health centre without delay if symptoms appear suddenly, including a high fever, great fatigue, muscle aches, as well as vomiting or diarrhoea.
Those who are sick also need to be protected from feeling stigmatised. Rely only on information coming from health authorities, she warns, and avoid rumours “which can really complicate the response and put their lives in danger.”