Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Level 4 - Avoid All Travel
Level 3 - Reconsider Nonessential Travel
Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions
Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions

Key points

  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing an Ebola outbreak in the Bulape and Mweka Health Zones of Kasai Province (see map).
  • This outbreak has been linked to Ebola virus (species Orthoebolavirus zairense).
  • Local health authorities in the DRC are working to identify infected people and sources of transmission, conduct investigations, take action to prevent further transmission, and educate communities and the public about the risks and dangers of Ebola.
  • While not commercially available, there is an FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of Ebola virus (species Orthoebolavirus zairense only). It is presently available to certain individuals in select occupations (e.g., outbreak responders). Contact your healthcare provider about eligibility and access to the vaccine.
  • If you travel to Bulape or Mweka Health Zones in the DRC, you should:
    • Review Health Information for Travelers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to find out about routine precautions travelers should take when traveling to the DRC.
    • Consider getting travel insurance before you travel, including health and medical evacuation insurance, to cover yourself in case delays, injuries, or illnesses occur on your trip.
    • Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
    • Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids or objects that are contaminated with them.
    • Avoid contact with bats, forest antelopes, nonhuman primates (e.g., monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas), and blood, fluids, or raw meat from these or unknown animals.
    • Avoid going into areas where bats live, such as mines or caves.
  • Watch your health for symptoms of Ebola while in the outbreak area and for 21 days after leaving. If you develop fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising (a late stage of illness):
    • Separate yourself from others (isolate) immediately.
    • Do not travel.
    • Contact local health authorities or a healthcare facility for advice. Calling ahead before going to a healthcare facility helps the facility prepare for your arrival, including contacting health authorities and taking any precautions needed to protect staff and other patients.

Traveler Information

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Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (View larger)
What is Ebola?

Ebola disease (Ebola) is a rare and deadly illness that has, at times, caused outbreaks in several African countries.

Ebola is spread by contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is infected with or has died from Ebola. It is also spread by contact with contaminated objects (such as clothing, bedding, needles, and medical equipment), or by contact with animals, such as bats and nonhuman primates, that are infected with Ebola virus.

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising (a late stage of illness).

Two Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments are currently available to treat Ebola virus disease due to infection with Ebola virus (species Orthoebolavirus zairense): Inmazeb™ and Ebanga™.

Ebola viruses can cause serious and often deadly disease, with a mortality rate as high as 80 to 90 percent without treatment.