As Kenya responds to an imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease, health authorities are urging the public to understand the signs and symptoms of the infection and seek medical attention early when illness occurs.
Ebola does not always begin with symptoms that immediately distinguish it from other diseases. The early signs can resemble illnesses such as malaria, typhoid and other infections, making medical assessment and laboratory testing important.
Early signs of Ebola
The incubation period for Ebola, that is, the time between infection and the appearance of symptoms, ranges from two to 21 days.
The illness can begin suddenly with fever, tiredness or weakness, muscle and joint pain, headache and sore throat. Loss of appetite may also occur.
A person infected with Ebola does not become infectious until symptoms develop. However, anyone who believes they may have been exposed and subsequently develops symptoms should seek medical advice immediately.
Symptoms can become more severe
As the illness progresses, patients may develop vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and a skin rash. Some patients may also experience red eyes, chest pain, difficulty breathing, confusion or other complications.
Bleeding can occur in some patients, including bleeding from the nose or gums, or blood appearing in vomit or stool. However, bleeding does not occur in every Ebola patient and may appear later in the illness.
The absence of bleeding therefore does not rule out Ebola, particularly when other symptoms occur following a possible exposure.
Why early medical care matters
Because the early symptoms of Ebola overlap with those of more common illnesses, symptoms alone cannot confirm that someone has the disease.
Laboratory testing is required to establish a diagnosis. Early assessment allows health workers to determine whether a patient may have Ebola or another illness and to provide appropriate care.
Supportive treatment, including rehydration and management of specific symptoms, is an important part of Ebola care and can improve survival.
When to seek help
Anyone who develops Ebola-like symptoms after possible exposure to a confirmed or suspected case should contact health authorities or seek medical care promptly.
People identified as contacts of a confirmed case are expected to cooperate with health teams and undergo monitoring during the 21-day period following exposure. They should report any symptoms immediately.
The Ministry of Health has urged Kenyans to remain vigilant while relying on official information rather than unverified reports circulating online.
Members of the public can call the Ministry of Health hotline 719 for information and guidance.
Recognising symptoms early does not mean assuming that every fever or stomach illness is Ebola. It means taking possible exposure seriously, reporting symptoms promptly and allowing trained health workers and laboratory testing to establish the correct diagnosis.
