WHO Issues First Global Care Guidelines for Ebola and Marburg

WHO's guidelines include 16 evidence-based recommendations developed through international expert consultations and informed by lessons learned from decades of outbreak response across Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first comprehensive clinical guidelines covering all major filovirus diseases, including Ebola and Marburg virus infections, in an effort to improve patient survival and strengthen outbreak response.

The guidance comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo responds to an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of several viruses within the Ebola family. The new recommendations place strong emphasis on early supportive care, which health experts say remains one of the most effective tools for saving lives, particularly in outbreaks where approved vaccines or treatments are unavailable.

WHO's guidelines include 16 evidence-based recommendations developed through international expert consultations and informed by lessons learned from decades of outbreak response across Africa.

Focus on Early Treatment and Better Patient Monitoring

Ebola and Marburg diseases are among the world's most dangerous infectious illnesses, with fatality rates ranging from 25 percent to as high as 90 percent during severe outbreaks. Since the discovery of Marburg virus in 1967, Africa has recorded 72 outbreaks involving Ebola and Marburg viruses.

The updated guidance provides practical advice for frontline healthcare workers on identifying signs of deterioration, treating life-threatening complications and improving patient care throughout the course of illness.

Key recommendations include the use of laboratory testing to detect conditions such as low blood sugar and metabolic abnormalities, rapid treatment of dehydration through oral and intravenous fluids, and close monitoring of patients suffering from shock caused by severe infection.

The guidelines also stress the importance of promptly treating secondary bacterial infections, including sepsis, which can significantly worsen outcomes if left unmanaged.

Long-Term Care Included for Survivors

Beyond emergency treatment, WHO has introduced recommendations for structured follow-up care for people who recover from Ebola and Marburg diseases. Health experts say survivors can continue to face physical, psychological and medical challenges long after leaving hospital.

The guidance highlights the need for ongoing support to improve wellbeing and reduce the risk of infections linked to viral persistence in survivors. WHO noted that proper after-care is becoming an increasingly important part of outbreak management as survival rates improve.

Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the new guidelines demonstrate how scientific evidence can be translated into practical tools that help save lives during health emergencies. He encouraged governments and health authorities to integrate the recommendations into preparedness plans and outbreak response strategies.

WHO said the guidance is intended not only for clinicians but also for health facility managers and policymakers, helping them prepare medical supplies, laboratory capacity, equipment and staffing resources needed during future outbreaks. The organization added that optimized supportive care remains the foundation of effective treatment and a critical requirement for future research into antiviral therapies for filovirus diseases.