Connecticut State Department of Public Health

Ebola and Marburg Diseases

Ebola disease is a deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola viruses. The viruses are found in some African countries. Ebola disease outbreaks in Africa have happened sporadically since 1976. The largest outbreak of Ebola began in March 2014 with many cases reported from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides up to date information about current and recent outbreaks.


Marburg Virus Disease


Marburg disease is a severe disease caused by infection with Marburg virus. The virus is found in a type of fruit bat native to Africa called the Egyptian rousette bat. The Marburg virus was first recognized in 1967 when outbreaks occurred in European research laboratories. Outbreaks occur sporadically in Africa. CDC provides up to date information about current and recent outbreaks. CDC recently issued a Health Alert Notification for outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania.


How do these diseases spread?


Both Ebola and Marburg viruses can spread from person-to-person. This happens through direct contact with body fluids like blood, saliva, urine and sweat from someone who is infected and has symptoms. Direct contact means that the infected fluids enter the body through the eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound. It is also possible to get Ebola or Marburg diseases when there is direct contact with something that was contaminated with infected body fluids, like a needle or syringe. In Africa, direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of animals infected with the virus might also cause illness.


What are the symptoms and treatments?


The symptoms of Ebola and Marburg diseases are similar and include fever, severe headache, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pain, and weakness. Symptoms appear within 2 to 21 days after exposure to the viruses. An infected person can only spread the virus after symptoms begin. It is possible to recover from Ebola or Marburg infection with good supportive clinical care and healthy immune response. Survivors are thought to have some protective immunity to the type of Ebola or Marburg that sickened them. There is also a vaccine approved by the US Food and Drug Administration that can help to prevent one type of Ebola virus disease.


What steps is Connecticut taking to prevent Ebola and Marburg in our state?


Steps taken to identify and respond to potential cases include:

  • In accordance with CDC recommendations, the Department of Public Health (DPH) works with local health departments to monitor the health of people returning from countries with outbreaks.
  • The DPH State Public Health Laboratory is prepared to facilitate Ebola and Marburg virus diagnostic testing.
  • DPH is working with hospitals to ensure their readiness to detect, protect, and respond to patients infected with or suspected of having Ebola or Marburg virus.

Information From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  

Updated 4/3/2025