‘Very significant pandemic’ seen in Africa as ebola spreads. What to know

A fast-moving ebola outbreak in Africa has already infected hundreds of people, sparking fears of a possible pandemic, health officials said.

There have been 536 suspected cases, 105 probable cases, 34 confirmed cases and 134 suspected deaths in Congo and Uganda, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic fever with a high death rate, the Mayo Clinic said.

“I suspect this is going to become a very significant pandemic, probably going to leak into Tanzania, leak into southern Sudan, maybe leak into Rwanda,” former CDC chief Robert Redfield said Wednesday, according to The Hill.

Redfield said the ebola outbreak wasn’t identified until there were already more than 100 cases.

The outbreak began in Congo in May, the CDC said. The Bundibugyo virus, one of six ebola viruses, is behind the outbreak. There is no vaccine for the virus, which has a 25% to 50% death rate.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of State issued a worldwide caution and health alert concerning the outbreak.

All U.S. citizens and legal residents returning to the nation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan must arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport for enhanced screening, the order said.

Here’s what to know:

What is ebola?

Ebola is a disease caused by viruses found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, the CDC said. It can have a mortality rate of up to 80% to 90% depending on the strain of the virus.

Orthoebolaviruses, which cause ebola, were discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the CDC said.

Further outbreaks caused by the undetermined animal that carries the viruses have taken place in several African countries, with the largest occurring in West Africa from 2014 to 2016. More than 28,000 cases were reported.

How common is ebola?

Ebola is considered a rare disease with sporadic outbreaks taking place mainly in Africa, the World Health Organization said.

It is extremely rare in the United States and the overall risk to the American public and travelers from the current outbreak remains low, the CDC said.

Who is at risk for ebola?

Ebola poses little risk to most travelers or the general public, the CDC said.

People who come into direct physical contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person or animal are most at risk, the agency said.

They can include healthcare workers, caregivers, family members of infected individuals and mourners participating in traditional burial rituals involving direct contact with the deceased

What are the symptoms of ebola?

Symptoms of the “aggressive” disease include fever, muscle pain and headache, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, internal and external bleeding, multiple organ failure and possibly death, the Mayo Clinic said.

The Cleveland Clinic noted that the initial symptoms may seem like the flu, including chills, fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches and loss of appetite.

Severe symptoms can include black, tarry stool, confusion, rashes and bloodshot eyes.

Symptoms usually show within 8 to 21 days of exposure, WHO said.

What are the complications of ebola?

Later ebola symptoms can include brain inflammation, organ failure, seizures and shock from losing blood, the Cleveland Clinic.

Chronic, long-term complications can include abdominal pain, eye pain or redness, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, numbness and tingling, peeling skin and vision problems, including blindness, blurred vision and light sensitivity, the clinic said.

When should you see a doctor about ebola?

Get medical care immediately if you think you have been exposed and have symptoms, the Cleveland Clinic said.

How does ebola spread?

It’s thought that fruit bats carry the viruses that cause ebola, WHO said.

“The virus can get into the human population when people have close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope or porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest,” the agency said.

People can spread the virus through close contact with bodily fluids of an infected person, WHO said.

This includes sexual intercourse, the Cleveland Clinic said.

Body fluids that can transmit ebola include blood, breast milk, feces, mucus, saliva, semen, sweat, tears, urine and vomit, the Mayo Clinic said.

How can you prevent ebola?

The risk to U.S. residents or casual travelers is low, but the CDC advises you to avoid contact with body fluids and clothing, bedding, needles, medical equipment, or other items that may have touched an infected person’s blood or body fluids.

Also avoid contact with bodies of those who may have died of ebola and with bats, forest antelopes, primates, and blood, fluids, or raw meat from these or unknown animals.

There are two vaccines for ebola viruses approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, but no vaccine for the Bundibugyo virus behind the current outbreak.

How do you treat ebola?

Strong supportive care is required because of the massive toll ebola takes on the body, WHO said. There is no cure.

How can you tell ebola from other illnesses?

“It can be difficult to clinically distinguish Ebola disease from other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, shigellosis, meningitis and other viral hemorrhagic fevers because symptoms at early stage of the disease are similar,” WHO said.

This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 11:10 AM.