Description
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of diseases caused by several distinct families of viruses. They can lead to bleeding and organ failure.
This page specifically describes Ebola disease and Marburg virus disease (MVD).
The virus that causes MVD was first identified in 1967 and the one that causes Ebola disease in 1976. These rare diseases can affect humans and animals. They have been associated with historic outbreaks in several African countries. Areas of sub-Saharan Africa were the most prone to these outbreaks. Without treatment, the mortality rate in humans ranges from 25% to 90%.
No cases of these diseases have been reported in Québec or Canada. The likelihood of introducing these virus into Canada is low. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are working with the governments of the affected countries.
The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux monitors VHF outbreaks around the world.
Ebola disease
An outbreak of Ebola disease has been ongoing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda since May 15, 2026. In view of the seriousness of the situation, the WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026.
At the time of this declaration, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported in the DRC; two confirmed cases and one death have been reported in Uganda.
To follow the progress of the outbreak, consult the
The latest outbreak of Ebola disease was declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo on September 4, 2025 and ended on December 1, 2025. A total of 64 cases (53 confirmed and 11 probable), including 45 deaths, had been reported. The case fatality rate was 70%. For more details, go to the page
Marburg virus disease (MVD)
At this time, no outbreaks of MVD have been reported by the WHO.
The last outbreak of MVD was declared in Ethiopia on November 14, 2025 and ended on January 26, 2026. A total of 19 suspected cases, including 14 confirmed, and 9 deaths were reported. For more details, go to the page
You can follow the ongoing outbreak situation by checking the WHO’s
Transmission
VHFs are diseases that can spread from person to person and by contact with an infected animal (bats, monkeys, gorillas, pigs, etc.).
An infected person becomes contagious only when he or she develops symptoms.
A person may become infected with a virus that causes VHFs if a mucous membrane (mouth, nose, eyes or genital organs) or a wound on their skin comes into contact with:
- the bodily fluids (blood, urine, saliva, semen, breast milk, sweat) of an infected person
- a surface or object contaminated with the bodily fluids of an infected person (such as clothing, bedding, medical equipment)
An infected person becomes more contagious as the disease progresses, because the fluids they lose when their symptoms get worse (blood, vomit, diarrhea, urine) are also infected.
The viruses that cause VHFs may also remain in some bodily fluids such, as semen, for an unknown length of time after recovery from the disease. Therefore, people who have close contact with people who have contracted the disease, for example during sexual intercourse, are advised to take certain precautions.
Breastfeeding
People who are breastfeeding and who have had contact with a confirmed case of Ebola or another VHF must weigh the risk of transmitting the disease through breast milk against the benefits of breastfeeding for their child and themselves. They can then decide whether or not to continue breastfeeding for the 21-day period following exposure.
For high-risk contacts, it is recommended that breastfeeding be interrupted for 21 days following exposure. The person who is breastfeeding may choose to express their milk and freeze it during this period. Breastfeeding may be resumed and the expressed milk (fresh or frozen) may be used if they do not develop symptoms. The person who is breastfeeding must wash their hands and do their personal hygiene with soap and water immediately after any contact with breast milk.
If a person who is breastfeeding develops symptoms of Ebola disease or another VHF, breastfeeding must be interrupted and expressed milk (fresh or frozen) must be discarded. The child must be separated from the person who is breastfeeding and given a breast milk substitute, if necessary. Given the risk associated with handling infectious bodily fluids, trying to maintain lactation during an episode of Ebola disease or another VHF is not recommended.
A child who is exposed to the breast milk of a person with Ebola disease or another suspected or confirmed VHF must be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of the disease for 21 days.
Risks for travellers
Travellers might be exposed to VHFs if they participate, in the regions affected, in activities that could put them in contact with the infected blood or bodily fluids of an affected person. For example:
- during delivery of healthcare
- when caring for a sick family member
- during participation in funeral rituals, such as a burial ceremony
- during sexual contact
Also, travellers might be exposed to VHFs if they are in contact with infected animals or by consuming the meat of wild animals.
If you must travel to a country affected byVHFs, consult a medical professional at least six weeks before your departure. Once you have arrived, follow the
Symptoms
Early symptoms come on suddenly:
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Malaise
- Muscle aches and/or weakness
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Sore throat
Other symptoms may appear after a few days:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rash
- External bleeding (from the nose and gums), and internal bleeding (bruising, blood in urine or stool)
A third of people infected with the VHF may experience bleeding in various parts of their bodies. Such bleeding occurs several days after the onset of symptoms. The percentage of deaths associated with the disease is closely related to the quality of infrastructure and health system in the countries affected.
The symptoms of Ebola disease and MVD can appear most often 2 to 21 days after infection with the virus.
If, during the last 21 days, you have travelled to an area currently affected by Ebola disease or MVD during the last 21 days and have the symptoms described, call Info-Santé at 811. A nurse will evaluate your health and make recommendations based on your condition.
Treatment
There is no treatment for Ebola disease and Marburg virus disease in Canada. Treatment consists mainly of relieving symptoms.
Prevention
If you are in a region affected by a VHF outbreak or if you are in the presence of a person from a region affected by an outbreak, there are ways to reduce the risk of exposure to VHF viruses.
Adopt good hand hygiene
Avoid direct, unprotected contact with the bodily fluids and tissues of sick people or people who have died from VHF or an unknown disease.
Avoid all contact with anything that may have been in contact with infected bodily fluids, in particular toilets and personal items, such as sheets and clothing.
Avoid high-risk regions and activities
Avoid all places or activities where you may be exposed to the virus, in particular homes or facilities where sick people are treated without optimal infection prevention measures in place.
Avoid unprotected sexual activity
Use a condom for all sexual activity, including oral, vaginal or anal sex.
Follow safe funeral practices
Avoid direct, unprotected contact with the body of a person who has died of VHF or an unknown disease.
Avoid contact with wild animals
Avoid touching wild animals, live or dead, as well as their meat, feces or bodily fluids.
In Canada, there are no animals that are infected naturally with a virus that can cause VHFs.
Vaccination
An Ebola-Zaire vaccine is authorized in Canada. It is available through the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile (NESS) responsible for the management of people who have been exposed to a case of Ebola-Zaire disease detected in Canada and the management of potential outbreaks. Access to the vaccine and information about who can receive it in Canada is determined with public health authorities.
The vaccine it is not currently available or recommended for Canadians as part of routine immunization or for vaccination prior to travel. However, the provision of vaccination against Ebola virus disease to Canadian international aid workers is the responsibility of the organization that provides these services. People who travel to areas affected by Ebola-Zaire disease through humanitarian organizations should ask their host organization about the possibility of getting vaccinated against this disease.
This vaccine is not indicated against other strains of Ebola virus (Ebolavirus Sudan, Ebolavirus Bundibugyo) or against other viruses responsible for VHFs, such as Marburg virus.
For more information, go to the page
There is no approved vaccine for MVD at this time. A number of vaccines are under development, one of which was used in Rwanda during the 2024 outbreak.
Border Measures
In light of the current Ebola outbreak, the Government of Canada has implemented temporary border measures to reduce the risk of the disease being introduced into and spreading within Canada. For more details, visit the
Travel advisories and warnings by destination are also being issued for countries at high risk for Ebola, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.
For people in quarantine, Employment Insurance sickness benefits may provide up to 26 weeks of financial assistance, subject to certain conditions. For more details, see
Last update: June 25, 2026