By Bunmi Yekini
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first comprehensive clinical guidelines for the treatment of filovirus diseases, including Ebola and Marburg virus infections, as the Democratic Republic of the Congo grapples with an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
The new guidance, which contains 16 evidence-based recommendations, emphasizes the importance of early supportive care in improving survival rates and health outcomes for patients affected by some of the world’s deadliest viral diseases.
Ebola and Marburg diseases are severe illnesses with fatality rates ranging from 25% to as high as 90% in the worst outbreaks. Since the discovery of the Marburg virus in 1967, Africa has recorded 72 outbreaks of Ebola and Marburg diseases, many of which have left lasting social, economic and psychological scars on affected communities.
WHO said the guidelines are particularly important because there are currently no licensed vaccines or treatments for Marburg virus disease, as well as Bundibugyo and Sudan strains of Ebola virus disease, making high-quality supportive care the most effective tool for saving lives.
“These new guidelines are a perfect example of how WHO leverages science to better protect and care for people during outbreaks and health emergencies,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.
“The current Bundibugyo virus outbreak is a stark reminder of the need for diligent, holistic and person-focused medical care, to save lives and preserve human dignity,” he added, urging governments to incorporate the recommendations into outbreak preparedness and response plans.
The guidelines were developed through consultations with global experts and draw on lessons learned from recent Ebola and Marburg outbreaks. They are intended to help frontline health workers standardize patient care and assist health authorities in planning for outbreaks through adequate supplies, laboratory support, medical equipment and staffing.
Among the recommendations are the rapid treatment of dehydration through oral and intravenous rehydration, the use of laboratory tests to detect treatable complications such as low blood sugar and metabolic disorders, and the early administration of intravenous fluids and medications to manage shock.
WHO also recommends prompt antibiotic treatment when bacterial infections occur alongside filovirus disease and structured follow-up care for survivors to support recovery and reduce the risk of further infections linked to viral persistence.
The agency said early recognition of symptoms, rapid referral to treatment centres and optimized supportive care remain essential in managing Bundibugyo virus disease and other filovirus infections, helping to reduce complications while providing a foundation for future clinical research into antiviral therapies.
The guidance complements existing WHO operational tools aimed at improving the safety and effectiveness of care during outbreaks.
The release comes as WHO marks World Health Day 2026 under the theme “Together for Health. Stand with Science”, a year-long campaign highlighting the role of science in protecting public health and responding to emerging health threats.