Ebola disease, also known as Ebola, is a severe illness that starts with the abrupt onset of fever, usually with headache, malaise and myalgia and can lead to severe multisystem illness. Ebola is caused by viruses that belong to the Orthoebolavirus genus of the filoviridae family.
Ebola has been associated with historical outbreaks in several Central African countries, including a large outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2016 and an outbreak caused by the Sudan virus (SUDV) in Uganda in 2022.
On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement declaring the current Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) posted a Travel Health Notice for DRC, South Sudan and an Outbreak Monitoring Alert for Uganda. Canada has also put into place temporary border measures for Ebola.
See the World Health Organization's Situational Reports for the most up-to-date Ebola-affected areas.
Since early symptoms are similar to many common conditions, a detailed risk assessment is critical for early diagnosis. Utilize the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Clinical Risk Assessment Tool to support a review of the patient’s travel history, potential exposure to viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF), and symptoms.
Symptoms can begin 2 to 21 days after exposure (on average 8 to 10 days) and usually start with the sudden onset of fever followed by other symptoms.
No animals in Canada have been found to be naturally infected with an Ebola virus. Only infected animals pose a risk of Ebola.
Utilize the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Clinical Risk Assessment Tool to support a detailed risk assessment for Ebola including a review of the patient’s travel history, potential exposure to viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF), and symptoms.
If a VHF (including Ebola) is suspected, immediately:
Note: Do not collect specimens for a microbiological examination before consulting with a PHO Laboratory Microbiologist. PHO Laboratory Customer Service Centre can be reached at 416-235-6556/1-877-604-4567, and after-hours 416-605-3113.
Patient screening, risk assessment, patient placement and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital in healthcare settings when caring for suspect and confirmed patients.
Temporary border measures are in place for travellers who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan in the previous 21 days before arrival to Canada. Travellers will be assessed upon arrival and will have to follow specific public health measures based on this assessment which include quarantine for 21 days.
Testing by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays is preferred. PHO’s laboratory will perform RT-PCR testing and will also facilitate transfer of specimens from PHO to the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) for confirmatory testing. The turnaround time for all testing (both screening and confirmatory) will be communicated at the time of sample submission.
Note: Do not collect specimens for a microbiological examination before consulting with a PHO Laboratory Microbiologist. PHO Laboratory Customer Service Centre can be reached at 416-235-6556/1-877-604-4567, or after-hours at 416-605-3113.
There is currently no approved treatment specifically for Ebola. Early diagnosis is important.
Cases should receive care in highly specialized centres to ensure appropriate supportive care (maintaining blood pressure, electrolyte balance and organ systems function) under strict infection prevention control management. Provincial and territorial public health authorities can provide information regarding whether a treatment facility has been designated for this purpose in their jurisdiction.
There is currently one vaccine approved in Canada for prevention of Ebola disease caused by the Ebola virus (Ervebo, rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP vaccine). At this time, the Ervebo vaccine is not approved nor recommended to prevent disease caused by other orthoebolaviruses (e.g., Sudan virus, Bundibugyo virus, Taï Forest virus).
The vaccine is licensed for use in Canada, but it is not marketed in Canada. In the event of an Ebola virus disease (EVD) case, the vaccine may be deemed helpful for outbreak control purposes. Under these circumstances, access to this product will be facilitated by PHAC through the appropriate regulatory mechanism.