5/27/2026
Person wearing a hazmat suit and holding safety goggles in their hands while wearing gloves

​​​​​​​​​Protective equipment used by health care workers helps prevent exposure to infectious diseases like Ebola during patient care and testing. (Envato)

Ebola is a highly contagious virus that can lead to severe illness.

An outbreak of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo was declared a "public health emergency of international concern" by the World Health Organization in May 2026.

However, the risk of infection and outbreak in Canada is low, according to infectious diseases experts at University Health Network.

Here's what you need to know about Ebola virus.

What is Ebola?

Ebola is a serious viral infection that originates from animals and can occasionally spread to humans, causing Ebola disease.

"It's most commonly found in specific regions of Africa, where outbreaks happen from time to time," says Dr. Susy Hota, division head of infectious diseases at University Health Network.

Three different viruses can lead to outbreaks of Ebola disease, including:

  • Ebola virus
  • Sudan virus
  • Bundibugyo virus

Ebola disease causes severe illness in humans and is often fatal.

WATCH: Dr. Susy Hota, division head of infectious diseases at UHN, breaks down what you need to know about Ebola. (UHN)

What are the symptoms of Ebola?

Early symptoms of Ebola infection are non-specific, meaning they are common and not unique to this particular virus, including:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle ache

As the virus progresses, within a week symptoms can worsen to a serious critical illness. Symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Severe stomach pain
  • In some cases, hemorrhagic bleeding
  • Critical illness
Ebola virus, Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus are known to cause large Ebola disease outbreaks. (Envato)

How does Ebola spread?

Ebola is spread through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.

Transmission can also occur through direct contact with objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with bodily fluids from a person with the disease.

"It can occasionally also be spread through aerosolization during certain medical procedures, but that's really a minority of how we believe it's spread," says Dr. Hota.

What is the risk of an Ebola outbreak in Canada?

Ebola virus is not endemic to Canada, meaning it does not circulate among animals in this part of the world.

"The risk of an Ebola outbreak in Canada is very low — we've never seen such a thing," says Dr. Hota.

According to Joss Reimer, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, there has never been a case of Ebola virus disease imported into Canada.

However, if a person becomes infected while travelling to an affected region and returns to Canada, there is a risk that it could be transmitted to people they come into contact with.

"We're always preparing for that event," says Dr. Hota. "It's so important for us to focus on a person's travel history, screen them for symptoms and promptly isolate them to protect others."

How common are Ebola outbreaks?

Although once a rare event, Ebola outbreaks are occurring more frequently in parts of the world where the virus is endemic.

"Part of this could be because of deforestation and the fact that humans are living closer to animals that tend to be the natural hosts for the virus," says Dr. Hota.

"The opportunities for the virus to jump into a human have increased."

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