Ebola
Ebola is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with one of several species of the Ebola virus, primarily transmitted to humans from wild animals and spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals. The disease is characterised by sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in severe cases internal and external bleeding. Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks, depending on the virus species and the quality of supportive care available. Ebola is endemic to tropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa, with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sudan and Guinea experiencing recurring outbreaks since the virus was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Transmission occurs through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids. Healthcare workers and family members caring for patients are at elevated risk. There is no specific cure, but early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival, and several vaccines have been developed and deployed in outbreak settings since 2015. The disease poses significant public-health and economic challenges in affected regions, often overwhelming fragile health systems and disrupting trade and movement. Outbreak response relies on case isolation, contact tracing, infection prevention and control in health facilities, safe burial practices and community engagement. The World Health Organisation coordinates international response efforts and has declared certain large outbreaks, notably the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic, as public health emergencies of international concern.
Ebola Updates
Congo says confirmed Ebola cases rise over 1 000
By: Reuters Updated 19 minutes ago The Democratic Republic of Congo said late on Sunday that confirmed Ebola cases in the country had risen to 1 003, including 254 deaths. In an... →
More than 70 Congo medics infected with Ebola since outbreak started, WHO says
By: Reuters 19th June 2026 A senior World Health Organization official said on Friday that 75 medics in the Democratic Republic of Congo had been infected with Ebola and 17... →
Africa pledges $910m to boost Ebola response
By: Reuters 18th June 2026 The African Union has pledged $910-million, including $80-million from African member states, to accelerate the Ebola Bundibugyo response in Congo... →
Congo Ebola response strained a month after WHO declares international emergency
By: Reuters 17th June 2026 Health workers battling an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo lack the personnel to identify suspected cases, the ambulances to... →
Daily Podcast – June 17, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 17th June 2026 Making headlines: Aucamp replaces Steenhuisen as Agriculture Minister; Labour unions urge workers to shun anti-migrant protests; And, EU supports... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President and African Union Champion for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response (16/06/2026)
17th June 2026 It has been a month since we last met, where we demonstrated political will and mobilised just under 500 million US dollars in pledges from various... →
EU supports Ebola response with €493m in vaccines, treatment and health aid
By: Reuters 17th June 2026 The European Commission said on Wednesday it will fund the response to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa with a €493-million financial aid... →
Afreximbank cancels annual meeting on Ebola concerns
By: Reuters 15th June 2026 The African Export-Import Bank has cancelled its annual meeting set to take place in the Egyptian resort of El Alamein next week, citing measures... →
Health workers struggle to contain Ebola in Congo camps as distrust grows
By: Reuters 15th June 2026 After the Kpangba displacement camp became the first in this part of war-torn Congo to record deaths from Ebola two weeks ago, health workers... →
Daily Podcast – June, 12, 2026
By: Halima Frost 12th June 2026 Making headlines: Treasury says upgrades show path to investment grade; SA deporting 586 illegal Nigerian nationals who face 5-year re-entry ban;... →
