The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued the 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.
These directives come as the Democratic Republic of the Congo responds to the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of several viruses in the Ebola family. The new recommendations focus heavily on early supportive care, which health experts say remains one of the most effective tools to save lives, especially in outbreaks where vaccines or approved treatments are not available.
The WHO guidelines include 16 evidence-based recommendations developed through international expert consultations and based on lessons learned from decades of outbreak response across Africa.
Focus on early treatment and better monitoring of patients
Ebola and Marburg are two of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world, with mortality rates ranging from 25 percent to 90 percent during severe outbreaks. Since the discovery of the Marburg virus in 1967, Africa has recorded 72 outbreaks of the 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 tests to detect conditions such as low blood sugar and metabolic abnormalities, rapid treatment of dehydration with oral and intravenous fluids, and close monitoring of patients in shock caused by severe infection.
The guidelines also emphasize the importance of prompt treatment of secondary bacterial infections, including sepsis, which can significantly worsen outcomes if left untreated.
Includes long-term care for survivors
Besides emergency treatment, WHO has made recommendations on organized follow-up care for people recovering from Ebola and Marburg. Health experts say survivors may continue to face physical, psychological and medical challenges long after leaving the hospital.
The guidance highlights the need for ongoing support to improve well-being and reduce the risk of infection associated with viral persistence in survivors. The World Health Organization noted that appropriate aftercare has become 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 incorporate the recommendations into preparedness plans and outbreak response strategies.
The WHO said the guidelines target not only doctors, but also health facility managers and policy makers, to help them prepare the medical supplies, laboratory capacity, equipment and staffing resources needed during future outbreaks. Improved supportive care remains the foundation of effective treatment and a critical requirement for future research into antiviral therapies for filovirus diseases, the organization added.
