Ebola virus disease
Ebola is a rare but severe disease caused by the Ebola virus. It is not an airborne disease and can only be transmitted by physical contact with infected individuals, their blood or bodily fluids; or contact with objects contaminated with infected blood or bodily fluids.
Risk of Ebola
The overall risk of Ebola in Northern Ireland is very low.
It is not an airborne disease and can only be transmitted by physical contact with infected individuals or their blood or bodily fluids or contaminated objects.
People who are not showing any symptoms are not infectious.
Even if a person travelled to Northern Ireland and was then found to have Ebola, the risk to other people would be very low as there are effective measures in place for managing infectious diseases.
If you have concerns about Ebola or have been in contact with someone known or suspected to have Ebola and you become ill with the symptoms below within 21 days, you should seek medical attention.
Symptoms of Ebola
A person infected with Ebola virus will typically develop:
- a high temperature (fever)
- a headache
- joint and muscle pain
- a sore throat
- severe muscle weakness
These symptoms start suddenly between two and 21 days after becoming infected.
Diarrhoea, vomiting, a rash, stomach pain, red eyes and reduced kidney and liver function can follow. The person may then bleed internally, and may also bleed from the ears, eyes, nose or mouth.
What to do if you become ill
Get medical advice as soon as possible if you become ill while travelling abroad in an area where there is a risk of contracting Ebola.
Contact your GP or GP out of hours service if you become ill after returning to Northern Ireland from an area where Ebola is a risk.
It's extremely unlikely you have Ebola. However, it could be another serious condition such as cholera or malaria. It is a good idea to talk to your GP or GP out of hours service in case you need tests or treatment.
Always remember to mention your recent travel history. This will help identify what the problem could be.
Sometimes your doctor may want to take a sample of your blood, urine or stools so it can be checked for any infections.
How Ebola virus is spread
The Ebola virus is spread in the blood, body fluids or organs of a person or animal with the infection.
For example, it can be spread by:
- directly touching the body of someone with the infection who has symptoms or recently died – the virus can survive for several days outside the body
- cleaning up body fluids (blood, stools, urine or vomit) or touching the soiled clothing of an infected person
- handling unsterilised needles or medical equipment used in the care of the infected person
- having sex with an infected person without using a condom – studies show traces of Ebola may stay in a man's semen many months after he has recovered
- handling or eating raw or undercooked bushmeat
Ebola can't be caught through routine social contact, such as shaking hands, with people who don't have symptoms.
Treatment for Ebola
There's currently no licensed treatment or vaccine for Ebola, although potential new vaccines and drug therapies are being developed and tested.
Any area affected by an outbreak should be immediately quarantined. People confirmed to have the infection should be treated in isolation in intensive care.
Healthcare workers need to avoid contact with the bodily fluids of their infected patients by taking strict precautions, such as wearing protective equipment.
Ebola virus disease is sometimes fatal. The sooner a person is given care, the better the chance they'll survive.
Preventing Ebola
The risk of catching the infection while travelling to previously affected countries is very small.
But if you're visiting one of these areas, it's still a good idea to follow these simple precautions to minimise your risk of picking up potentially serious infections:
- wash your hands often using soap and water – use alcohol hand rubs when soap isn't available
- make sure fruit and vegetables are properly washed and peeled before you eat them
- avoid physical contact with anyone who has possible symptoms of an infection
- don't handle dead animals or their raw meat
- don't eat bushmeat
More useful links
- Ebola - Public Health Agency website
- Ebola - World Health Organisation website
- Ebola - GOV.UK website
- Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK website
The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.
For further information see terms and conditions.