Ebola Virus

The 2014 Ebola epidemic is the largest in history, affecting multiple countries in West Africa. Two imported cases, including one death, and two locally acquired cases in healthcare workers have been reported in the United States. CDC and partners are taking precautions to prevent the further spread of Ebola within the United States.

Ebola virus disease ( EVD; also Ebola hemorrhagic fever, or EHF), or simply Ebola, is a disease of humans and other primates caused by ebolaviruses. Signs and symptoms typically start between two days and three weeks after contracting the virus as a fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and headaches.

The Bad News: Ebola, one of the deadliest diseases in the world, is in Nigeria. The Good News: It is preventable. Here's what you need to know

Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%.

If you must travel to an area affected by the 2014 Ebola outbreak: Wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of any person, particularly someone who is sick. Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person's blood or body fluids.