Ebola vs COVID-19: Key differences Indians need to know — symptoms, spread, treatment and prevention explained

Recent Ebola outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa highlight the global threat posed by emerging, highly Infectious viral diseases. Countries have tightened surveillance and screening, and strengthened emergency preparedness measures, while health agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), are closely monitoring the situation. Although Ebola outbreaks are confined to specific regions of the world, the virus remains a significant public health threat due to its high lethality and the severe complications it can cause.

Recently, hantavirus cases have created concern in several countries. Soon after the hantavirus scare, Ebola created fresh anxiety, becoming a topic of discussion worldwide, including in India. These Ebola outbreaks have raised concerns among people already familiar with COVID-19.

Viruses cause both diseases and can spread rapidly, but experts stress that Ebola and COVID-19 are very different illnesses and require different lines of treatment. Let's explore these differences and stay alert without creating unnecessary fear.

Dr Harish Chafle, Senior Consultant- Chest Physician- Bronchoscopists, Intensivist and Sleep Disorders specialist, Gleneagles Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai, and Dr Vikrant Shah, Internal Medicine Expert, Zen Multi-speciality Hospital, explain how Ebola is different from COVID-19, the symptoms people should report to the doctors, complications and the preventive measures that can help protect Indians.

There are six species of Orthoebolaviruses. Of these, three are known to cause large outbreaks: They are Ebola virus (EBOV), causing Ebola virus disease (EVD); Sudan virus (SUDV), causing Sudan virus disease (SVD); and Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), causing Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).

“COVID-19 spreads via respiratory droplets released while coughing, sneezing, or talking, making it highly contagious in crowded places. Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids such as blood, vomit, sweat, saliva, urine, or contaminated surfaces,” says Dr Chafle.

Dr Shah highlights, “COVID-19 spreads much faster among communities, whereas Ebola spreads through close physical contact and is generally less contagious but can become more deadly.”

Ebola outbreaks happened due to poor infection control, delayed isolation and direct exposure to infected individuals. COVID-19 affected millions of people due to rapid airborne transmission. Ebola outbreaks, which are less widespread, are associated with severe complications like internal bleeding, organ failure, severe dehydration, shock and multi-organ damage,” he adds.

COVID-19 causes complications such as severe pneumonia, breathing difficulty, lung damage, blood clots and heart-related problems, especially in elderly people and those with weak immunity.

"Many patients also tend to experience long COVID symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, weakness, and reduced lung function even after recovery,” said Dr Chafle.

Hence, awareness and timely action are essential to avoid misinformation and panic and improve the quality of life.

“COVID-19 has a lower death rate compared to Ebola, but it spreads much more easily. Ebola outbreaks demand isolation and infection-control measures because even direct contact with infected body fluids can spread the virus,” says Dr Shah.

“Those severely impacted with COVID may need oxygen support or intensive care. Ebola patients require immediate isolation, supportive treatment, fluid management and close monitoring. Vaccination, personal hygiene and management of symptoms like fever or body pain will help prevent infectious disease,” said Dr Chafle.

(The author, Nivedita, is a freelance writer. She writes on health and travel.)