Key Links

Keylinks Right Menu 

Licensure Key Links

Keylinks Licensure

Although the risk of Louisiana and the rest of the United States is considered low at this time, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to raise awareness about an outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The HAN also provides recommendations for healthcare workers about potential Ebola disease case identification and testing.

The outbreak of Ebola disease was confirmed by the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on May 15, 2026, and CDC issued 

 for people traveling to DRC and Uganda. On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined this outbreak to be a 

public health emergency of international concern

. As of June 17, DRC and Uganda have reported 856 confirmed cases and 198 confirmed deaths with many more suspected cases and deaths. No suspected, probable, or confirmed Ebola cases related to this outbreak have been reported in the United States.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) redirects U.S.-bound travelers coming from Ebola-affected regions to designated airports for enhanced entry screenings. After screening, CDC is providing contact information for low-risk travelers arriving from an affected country to states and local jurisdictions so that health monitoring can be performed for the duration of the 21-day incubation period.

Again, the risk of spread to Louisiana and the rest of the United States is considered low at this time

, but it is possible for travelers from affected areas in DRC or Uganda to enter the United States. Therefore, as an additional precaution, LDH is working to raise awareness of this outbreak among Louisiana healthcare providers.

Ebola disease is a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by a group of viruses known as orthoebolaviruses. Ebola disease most commonly affects humans and nonhuman primates, such as monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas. Four orthoebolaviruses cause illness in people, presenting as clinically similar disease. The current outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus budibugyoense). There are currently no FDA-approved or authorized treatments or vaccines for this species of orthoebolavirus.

Early “dry” symptoms include fever, aches and pains in the muscles and joints, severe headache, sore throat, and fatigue. Later “wet” symptoms include loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and unexplained bleeding.

Ebola disease is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the body fluids (e.g., blood, urine, feces, saliva, semen, or other secretions) of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola disease. It can also be transmitted through contact with objects like needles that are contaminated with the virus. 

Ebola virus is not spread through airborne transmission.

The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days after exposures. A person infected with Ebola virus is not considered contagious until after symptoms appear.

Recommendations for Healthcare Professionals