Key points
• WHO releases its first unified clinical guidelines covering all Ebola and Marburg virus diseases.
• New framework contains 16 evidence-based recommendations aimed at reducing deaths and improving outbreak response.
• Guidelines come as the Democratic Republic of the Congo confronts a fresh Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
Main story
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has unveiled its first comprehensive clinical guidelines for the treatment and management of Ebola and Marburg virus diseases, marking a major step forward in global efforts to tackle some of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.
The new guidelines, released on Wednesday, provide a unified framework for managing all Ebola virus species and Marburg virus disease, offering healthcare workers and policymakers a standardised approach to patient care during outbreaks.
The development comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) battles a new Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, underscoring the urgent need for consistent and effective clinical management protocols.
According to WHO, the guidelines contain 16 evidence-based recommendations designed to improve patient outcomes, strengthen outbreak preparedness and support healthcare systems responding to filovirus emergencies.
The organisation said the recommendations were developed through extensive consultations with global experts and are based on the latest scientific evidence as well as lessons learned from previous Ebola and Marburg outbreaks.
The issues
Ebola and Marburg viruses remain among the most lethal pathogens known to humanity, with outbreaks often causing severe illness, widespread fear and significant economic disruption. Case fatality rates can range from 25 per cent to as high as 90 per cent, depending on the virus strain, outbreak conditions and access to medical care.
Africa has recorded 72 Ebola and Marburg outbreaks since the Marburg virus was first identified in 1967, exposing vulnerabilities in public health systems and highlighting the importance of rapid diagnosis, effective treatment and coordinated response mechanisms.
While earlier WHO guidance focused largely on Ebola virus disease, experts have long advocated for a unified approach that reflects the similarities in the clinical management of Ebola and Marburg infections.
What’s being said
WHO said early supportive care remains the cornerstone of effective treatment and significantly increases a patient’s chances of survival.
The organisation recommends rapid rehydration through oral and intravenous fluids, prompt treatment of shock, close patient monitoring and swift management of complications associated with infection.
The guidelines also call for the early use of laboratory testing to identify and treat reversible conditions such as hypoglycaemia and metabolic disturbances before they become life-threatening.
In cases where bacterial infections or sepsis are suspected, WHO advises the immediate administration of appropriate antibiotics alongside standard filovirus treatment.
The recommendations further urge frontline health workers to identify signs of clinical deterioration early and intensify monitoring to prevent organ failure.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the guidelines demonstrate how scientific evidence can be transformed into practical interventions that save lives during outbreaks.
“These new guidelines are a perfect example of how WHO leverages science to better protect and care for people during outbreaks,” he said.
Ghebreyesus described the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a stark reminder of the importance of delivering holistic and patient-centred care during public health emergencies.
What’s next
WHO is urging governments, health authorities and humanitarian organisations to incorporate the new recommendations into national preparedness plans and outbreak response strategies.
The organisation believes the guidelines will improve the quality and consistency of care provided during future outbreaks while strengthening health system resilience and protecting vulnerable communities.
The framework also includes provisions for long-term follow-up care for survivors, recognising the need to address complications associated with viral persistence after recovery.
Bottom line
By introducing a single evidence-based framework for Ebola and Marburg virus diseases, WHO has taken a significant step towards improving outbreak response and patient survival. As the DRC confronts a fresh Ebola outbreak, the new guidelines provide health workers with a critical roadmap for delivering timely, effective and life-saving care.
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