List of Ebola outbreaks

List of Ebola outbreaks

The Ebola virus disease (EVD), also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe and often fatal illness in humans caused by the Ebolavirus. The disease was first identified in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, one in Nzara, South Sudan, and the other in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, there have been several outbreaks of Ebola virus disease, primarily in Africa.

Major Ebola Outbreaks

1976

The first recognized outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurred in 1976 in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nzara, South Sudan. The outbreak in Yambuku was caused by the Ebola virus (EBOV), while the outbreak in Nzara was caused by the Sudan virus (SUDV). The combined outbreaks resulted in 602 cases and 431 deaths.

1995

In 1995, an outbreak occurred in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This outbreak was caused by the Ebola virus (EBOV) and resulted in 315 cases and 250 deaths.

2000–2001

An outbreak of the Sudan virus (SUDV) occurred in Gulu, Uganda, in 2000-2001. This outbreak resulted in 425 cases and 224 deaths.

2007

In 2007, an outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) occurred in Bundibugyo District, Uganda. This outbreak resulted in 149 cases and 37 deaths.

2014–2016

The largest and most complex Ebola outbreak to date occurred in West Africa from 2014 to 2016. The outbreak primarily affected Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. It was caused by the Ebola virus (EBOV) and resulted in over 28,000 cases and 11,325 deaths. This outbreak also saw cases in other countries, including Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States.

2018–2020

An outbreak occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2018 to 2020, primarily affecting the North Kivu and Ituri provinces. This outbreak was caused by the Ebola virus (EBOV) and resulted in 3,470 cases and 2,287 deaths.

2021

In 2021, there were two separate outbreaks of Ebola virus disease. One occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the North Kivu province, and the other in Guinea. The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo resulted in 12 cases and 6 deaths, while the outbreak in Guinea resulted in 23 cases and 12 deaths.

Prevention and Control

Efforts to prevent and control Ebola outbreaks include surveillance, contact tracing, quarantine, and vaccination. The rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine has been used in recent outbreaks to protect individuals at high risk of infection.

See Also

• Ebola virus
• Ebola virus disease
• Ebolavirus
• Marburg virus
• Viral hemorrhagic fever