Ebola Disease

  • Ebo​la disease is a rare but often deadly infectious disease in humans and non-human primates (including chimpanzees, gorillas, and monkeys).
  • There are 4 types of viruses known to cause Ebola disease in humans: Ebola virus, Sudan virus, Tai Forest virus, and Bundibugyo virus.
  • The viruses that cause Ebola disease can spread from animal to animal, animal to human, and human to human through body fluids or objects contaminated with body fluids. 

In early May 2026, a hospital in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) identified a cluster of severe illnesses affecting healthcare workers. On May 15, DRC and Uganda declared outbreaks of Ebola. The causative species was identified as Bundibugyo, and this is the third outbreak of Bundibugyo, with prior outbreaks in 2007 in Uganda and 2012 in DRC.  

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported 6 high-risk American contacts, including one person who has tested positive, who are all stable and being cared for in Germany and Czech Republic.

 

Asymptomatic travelers returning to the U.S. from DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan are undergoing exit screenings and then being funneled to four airports (Dulles, Atlanta, Houston, JFK) for entry screenings. CDC notifies the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of any travelers returning to California, and these travelers are monitored for 21 days by the local health department.

 

San Joaquin County has had no high-risk exposures return from the affected areas.

  • Through contact with infected animals — specifically fruit bats, non-human primates (including apes, monkeys, and gorillas) and forest antelope — in areas where Ebola is known to occur.
  • From fruit bats – they are thought to spread Ebola viruses to other animals (primates and antelope). Humans can become infected when hunting or preparing (cutting or cleaning) meat from these infected animals.
  • From someone already infected with the virus -- when a person is infected from an animal, Ebola can then spread from person to person. A person becomes infected when a break in their skin or the mucous membranes in their eyes, nose, or mouth has direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola disease.
  • Direct contact can include:
    • Touching th​e blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola disease (body fluids include: urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, and semen)
    • Touching objects (such as clothing, bedding, needles, and medical equipment) contaminated with blood or body flu​​ids from a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola disease
    • Sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral) with semen from a person who has recently recovered from Ebola disease


    Note: Ebola disease can only spread when people who are infected start having symptoms. 

    There is no evidence that shows mosquitoes or other vectors can spread the virus that causes Ebola disease.

     

Early (“​dry") symptoms​ of Ebola disease usually appear 2-21 days after contact with a virus that causes Ebola:​

  • Fev​er
  • Severe headache
  • Weakness and fatigue (tiredness)
  • Aches and pains in the muscles and joints
  • Sore throat​​

As a person becomes sic​​ker (4-5 days later), "wet" symptoms of Ebola disease appear:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Unexplained bleeding

Untreated Ebola disease can be very serious, even causing death. Seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms of Ebola disease.

Before going to the doctor's office, emergency room, or other clinical setting:

  • Contact the healthcare provider by phone and tell them about your recent travel and symptoms.
  • This will help healthcare providers prepare their facility and protect other people from getting infected.
  • Avoid contact with blood and body fluids from people, animals, and contaminated objects
  • Body fluids include urine, feces, saliva, sweat, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, semen, and vaginal fluid from people who are sick or have died from Ebola disease.
  • Wear Protective Equipment
    • Body fluids include urine, feces, saliva, sweat, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, semen, and vaginal fluid from people who are sick or have died from Ebola disease.

As of June 9, 2026, there have been 0 reported cases of Ebola disease in the county.

If that status changes, we will issue a press release, social media messages, and updates on our website at www.sjcphs.org.

As is customary, local healthcare providers will be notified via CAHAN alerts.