New York State Department of Health Raises Awareness About Ebola Virus

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Issues Health Alert Network (HAN) About Ebola Outbreak in Uganda

No reported Cases in New York State or the U.S.

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 12, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health is raising awareness about Ebola after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network on February 6 about an Ebola outbreak in Uganda. The Department also aims to alert providers about individuals who may be returning from Uganda to New York. At this time, there are no reported cases in New York State or the U.S.

The Department has launched the Global Health Update Report, a new weekly report summarizing select ongoing and emerging infectious disease outbreaks of public interest. It includes preliminary and up-to-date data for these events for public health professionals and the public.

"Although there are no reported cases of Ebola in New York State, because New York is such a major travel hub it's important for providers and hospitals to know symptoms and precautions against the virus given the outbreak in Uganda," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "We encourage New Yorkers to utilize our Global Health Update Report to stay informed about infectious disease threats."

Ebola virus causes viral hemorrhagic fever, a deadly disease that most commonly affects humans and non-human primates.

Signs and symptoms of Ebola virus disease may appear from 2-21 days (8-10 on average) after exposure to the Ebola virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, lack of appetite and abnormal bleeding.

Ebola is spread by:

  • Direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids (urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, and semen) of an infected symptomatic person.
  • Direct contact with a person who died from the virus.
  • Exposure to objects such as clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment contaminated with infected secretions.
  • Consumption of bushmeat.
  • Semen of men who have recovered from previous Ebola infection (through oral, vaginal, or anal sex).

Ebola is not spread by:

  • Individuals who are not symptomatic: For transmission, someone would have direct contact with someone experiencing symptoms.
  • The air: Unlike respiratory diseases like the flu, Ebola cannot spread through the air.
  • Food grown or legally purchased in the U.S.

More information about Ebola can be found here.