Clinical alert - Ebola disease

On the 17 May 2026, the Director-General of the World Health Organization determined that the ongoing outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus (BVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005).

Although this outbreak currently presents a low risk to Australia, healthcare workers should remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of Ebola and request travel history from anyone presenting with symptoms.

Symptoms usually start suddenly and can get worse over time.

Early symptoms include:

• fever
• severe headache
• muscle pains
• weakness
• sore throat.

This is followed by:

• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• rash.

Later stages can involve bleeding, including:

• blood in vomit and stools
• bleeding from the nose, gums, eyes or vagina.

If you suspect your patient has Ebola disease:

• Isolate the patient and restrict entry to the isolation room.
• Obtain a full travel and exposure history, including symptoms, illness onset, travel dates and travel activities/locations.
• Urgently notify your local public health unit by phone, wherever possible, before collecting any pathology specimens or undertaking any invasive procedures. They can provide further advice on risk assessment and public health management.

• If you are in a hospital, immediately notify the infection control service and the hospital executive for your hospital and follow their directions.

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Please view the  General information on Ebola disease.

The Australian Centre for Disease Control has published guidance for frontline health professionals on Ebola disease:

• Ebola information for frontline health professionals
  • Factsheet with information for health professionals about the possibility of Ebola.
• Infection prevention and control principles and recommendations for Ebola virus disease
  • Describes actions and measures recommended to protect healthcare workers and others who may come in contact with the Ebola virus
• Ebola virus disease – CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units
  • Nationally consistent guidance for Public Health Units on how to respond to the Ebola virus disease.

For more information contact the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Border Health Section at Humanbiosecurity@health.gov.au