The Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under International Health Regulations.
Although the outbreak presents a low risk to Australia, GPs and other healthcare workers are being urged to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of Ebola and request travel history from anyone presenting with symptoms.
Symptoms usually start suddenly and can get worse over time. Early symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pains, weakness and a sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and a rash.
Later stages can involve blood in vomit and stools and bleeding from the nose, gums, eyes or vagina.
If you suspect your patient has Ebola disease:
- isolate the patient and restrict entry to the isolation room
- obtain a full travel and exposure history, including symptoms, illness onset, travel dates and travel activities/locations
- urgently notify your local public health unit by phone, wherever possible, before collecting any pathology specimens or undertaking any invasive procedures: they can provide further advice on risk assessment and public health management.
For more resources, visit the following pages:
Information for frontline health professionals
Infection prevention and control principles
CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units
You can also contact the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Border Health Section at Humanbiosecurity@health.gov.au.
This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.