Ebola is still around. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is actively managing an outbreak across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. This outbreak began in May 2026 and has resulted in over 1,400 confirmed cases and more than 400 deaths.
What is Ebola?
Ebola is a severe and usually fatal illness caused by a group of viruses known as orthoebolaviruses.
What are the Symptoms of Ebola?
Early symptoms resemble many other illnesses, including:
-
- Fever, severe headache, and fatigue
- Muscle, joint, and abdominal pain
- Sore throat and loss of appetite
As the disease progresses, it often worsens to symptoms like severe vomiting, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. It can lead to internal and external bleeding and organ failure also.
How is Ebola Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is confirmed through laboratory blood tests, such as PCR testing.
What is the Treatment for Ebola?
At this time there is no known treatment for ebola. However, supportive hospital care is provided—including intravenous fluids, blood pressure management, and mechanical breathing support which, significantly improves survival rates.
How do you Catch Ebola?
You can only become infected with ebola through direct contact with the blood or body fluids (such as saliva, sweat, vomit, or faeces) of an infected person or animal. It can also spread by touching contaminated objects, such as bedding or medical equipment.
What does the Ebola outbreak mean for travellers to Africa?
For those travelling to East or Central Africa, particularly to countries bordering the affected area, it is essential to be prepared and stay informed on the latest advisories.
Virginia Messina, Group CEO of ATTA, said: “Established protocols are in place within countries bordering the DRC and, as a result, tourism operations and business trips across the wider African continent continue normally.
You don’t need to cancel any plans to visit Africa at this stage. If you are travelling to Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya or Tanzania, you should monitor the situation. Protocols have been put in place to help curb and monitor the latest Ebola outbreak.
Protocols include:
- enhanced screening at borders and points of entry,
- strict contact tracing,
- upgraded isolation and treatment centres,
- a clear opposition to blanket travel restrictions.
You can track the ongoing situation, latest travel protocols and travel advice through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA).
Here’s some Africa inspiration:
Best African Safaris
9 Things to Do in Africa besides a Safari
Digital Nomad Visas to Live and Work in Africa
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My Essential Live and Work Abroad (and Play) Resources
🏠 Where Will You Be Sleeping Tonight? – For a bed in a hostel or a hotel room I check out Booking.com. For longer-term accommodation I get free accommodation house and pet sitting through Trusted Housesitters – this has saved me thousands on accommodation, no joke!
✈️ Need a cheap and flexible airfare – head to Skyscanner.
🚙 Car Rental – search and compare vehicles at DiscoverCars.
🚆 Train Travel: I love riding the rails. For a rail pass in Europe head to Raileurope. And Japan has a great one too – JapanRail Pass.
🚌 Travelling by bus is often the cheapest way to travel. Compare and get a ticket or a pass at Busbud.
🏃🏻♀️ Jump-the-queue entrance tickets and day tours: I book these through GetYourGuide.
👕 For travel clothing and gear I get a lot of stuff from Amazon, North Face and Anaconda.
🚑 Should you buy travel insurance? Absolutely Yes! SafetyWing is great digital nomads and long-term travellers and World Normads has policies for general and adventure travel.
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