Ebola disease is a rare but serious viral infection that can spread from animals to humans, and then between people through direct contact with infected body fluids.
While the current Ebolavirus outbreak in Central Africa is a major public health concern, the risk in Australia is very low. Transmission requires contact with infected body fluids, reducing likelihood of casual importation into Australia.
There has never been a recorded Ebola disease case in humans or animals in Australia. Returned travelers from affected areas with fever are more likely to have other diagnoses, particularly malaria.
Australia has strong border protections, and the health system is ready to rapidly identify and manage cases to prevent onward transmission in the community.
What is Ebola?
Ebola disease is a serious illness caused by infection from a family of Ebola viruses called orthoebolaviruses. This means there are different species of viruses that cause Ebola disease, but none of them are found in Australia.
Ebola disease causes fever and bleeding and is often life-threatening. It is transferred through blood, saliva, vomit, urine and faeces. It can also be spread via contaminated objects like medical equipment or bedding or contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected animal, even after death.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually develop 8-10 days (but can be between 2-21 days) after exposure, they usually start suddenly and can get worse over time.
Early symptoms include:
- fever
- muscle pain
- fatigue
- headache
- sore throat
These symptoms might be followed by:
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- stomach pain
- cough
- rash
- confusion
Later stages can involve bleeding, including:
- blood in vomit and stools
- bleeding from the nose, gums, eyes or vagina.
Ebola is life threatening and can cause multi-organ failure or long-term health problems.
The infectious period starts with the onset of symptoms. People are infectious while their blood and body fluids contain the virus.
Prevention
People travelling to countries where Ebola occurs are recommended to:
- check and follow travel advice on Smartraveller
- not travel to areas affected by Ebola outbreaks
- avoid contact with:
- blood or other bodily fluids of anyone who is unwell (alive or dead)
- objects or surfaces contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids of anyone who is unwell
- not interact with wild animals
- practise good hand washing
- practise safe sex
For professionals
There is a current outbreak of Bundibugyo ebolavirus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. See the World Health Organization (WHO) Bundigobugyo virus disease outbreak report for updates.
The risk of importation of Ebola to Australia is very low but clinicians should be alert to the possibility of Ebola disease in unwell travelers from impacted areas.
Clinicians should consider Ebola disease in a patient with a clinically compatible illness AND epidemiological risk (i.e. travel to an endemic area or contact with someone with Ebola or their bodily fluids) within 21 days of illness onset.
If Ebola disease is suspected:
- Place a patient in a single room and restrict entry
- Implement standard, contact and airborne precautions
- Obtain a full travel and exposure history, including symptoms, illness onset, travel dates and locations, and activities undertaken.
- Immediately notify your Local Public Health Unit (LPHU) by calling 1300 651 160.
- Do not collect pathology specimens.
Your LPHU will work through risk assessment, and if indicated, testing and management / transfer processes with the treating team and the Department of Health.
Health services may have local guidelines for VHF management and staff should also follow the local guideline.
Clinicians should also consider alternative diagnoses as patients returning from affected areas may have other conditions such as malaria.
