Ebola outbreak declared a global public health emergency

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

Although the current risk to Australia is low, healthcare workers should remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of Ebola and routinely request travel history from patients presenting with compatible illness.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms usually begin suddenly and worsen over time.

Early symptoms include:

• Fever

• Severe headache

• Muscle pain

• Weakness

• Sore throat

These may be followed by:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Abdominal pain

• Rash

Later stages can involve bleeding, including:

• Blood in vomit or stools

• Bleeding from the nose, gums, eyes or vagina

What to do if Ebola is suspected

If you suspect a patient may have Ebola:

• Isolate the patient immediately and restrict access to the room

• Obtain a detailed travel and exposure history, including symptom onset, travel dates and locations

• Urgently notify your local public health unit by phone, where possible before collecting specimens or undertaking procedures

• In hospital settings, notify the infection control service and hospital executive and follow their direction

Further information and guidance

General information:
www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/ebola-disease

Guidance for health professionals from the Australian Centre for Disease Control:

• Ebola information for frontline health professionals (factsheet)

• Infection prevention and control principles and recommendations for Ebola virus disease

• Ebola virus disease – CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units

For further advice, contact the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Border Health Section at Humanbiosecurity@health.gov.au