Guidance

Ebola: overview, history, origins and transmission

The history of Ebola virus disease, animal reservoirs, routes of transmission and an overview of diagnosis and management.

From:
UK Health Security Agency
Published
15 April 2014
Last updated
125 JanuaryFebruary 20232025 — See all updates

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Ebola: overview, history, origins and transmission

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Ebola virus emerged in 1976 in almost simultaneous outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Sudan (now South Sudan). Since then outbreaks have occurred in both Central and West Africa.

See information about current Ebola outbreaks.

Updates to this page

Published 15 April 2014
Last updated 125 JanuaryFebruary 2023 2025 + show all updates

  1. Changed the focus from EVD to EBOD and orthoebolaviruses in general. Updated the map in Figure 1.

  2. Update to reflect end of outbreak in Uganda.

  4. Updated with latest available information.

  6. Removed text on the most recent EVD outbreak.

  8. Updated table of Ebola outbreaks.

  10. Updated with current epidemiology.

  12. Updated table of outbreaks.

  14. Updated to reflect the current situation.

  16. Updated with information about West Africa outbreak.

  18. The map showing Ebola cases in Africa has been updated to the end of 2014.

  20. Updated information about transmission and incubation period.

  22. Updated account of historic outbreaks.

  24. First published.

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