Ebola disease is a rare but severe illness in humans. It is often fatal. 

Ebola virus disease is caused by viruses that belong to the Orthoebolavirus genus of the filoviridae family. Six species of Orthoebolaviruses have been identified to date, with three known to cause large outbreaks: 

• Ebola virus (EBOV) causing Ebola virus disease (EVD)
• Sudan virus (SUDV) causing Sudan virus disease (SVD)
• Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) causing Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD)

Two vaccine regimens have been licensed for use against EVD: Ervebo® and Zabdeno and Mvabea®.  WHO recommends the use of vaccination in response to an outbreak. Preventive vaccination is recommended for countries at risk of EBOV outbreaks or in their neighbouring areas, focusing on priority areas and target populations such as health workers. 

In case of a confirmed Ebola virus disease outbreak, Ervebo vaccines can be accessed through the International Coordinating Group on vaccine provision. For preventive vaccination of health-care and frontline workers, request of vaccines can be made through Gavi Preventive Ebola vaccination. 

For other Ebola diseases, including SVD and BVD, several candidate vaccines are at different stages of development.