### What is Ebola? Ebola is a rare but deadly virus that causes severe illness in humans. It was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. ### Symptoms of Ebola Early symptoms of Ebola can feel like the flu and include fever, body aches, and diarrhea. As the disease progresses, it can cause severe bleeding inside and outside the body, including from the eyes, ears, and nose. ### How is Ebola Spread? Ebola spreads through direct contact with the skin or bodily fluids of an infected person or animal. It is not spread through air, water, or food. ### Treatment Options There is no cure for Ebola, but there are treatments available to manage symptoms. Two drug treatments, Inmazeb and Ansuvimab-zykl, have been approved to help block the virus. ### Prevention There are vaccines available to prevent Ebola. The rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine is approved for the Zaire strain of the virus, and the Ad26.ZEBOV and MVA-BN-Filo vaccines are given in two doses. ### Protect Yourself To prevent Ebola, avoid contact with infected individuals and animals, and follow health guidelines if you are in an area with an outbreak. If you have traveled to an area with an Ebola outbreak, monitor your health for 21 days and seek medical attention if you develop symptoms.