The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its first full clinical guidelines for managing filovirus diseases, including Ebola and Marburg, at a time when the Democratic Republic of the Congo is responding to a new Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo strain.
The guidance brings together 16 key, evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving patient outcomes, with a strong focus on early and consistent supportive care as the most effective way to reduce deaths during outbreaks.
Ebola and Marburg infections remain among the deadliest viral diseases known, with fatality rates that can reach as high as 90% in severe outbreaks. Since Marburg virus was first identified in 1967, Africa has experienced dozens of outbreaks, many of which have disrupted health systems and left lasting social and economic consequences in affected communities.
WHO says that while medical countermeasures such as vaccines and targeted antivirals are still limited for several strains, especially Marburg and some Ebola variants like Bundibugyo, timely supportive treatment remains the strongest tool for improving survival.
According to WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the new guidance reflects how scientific evidence is being translated into practical tools to strengthen outbreak response and protect lives, particularly in vulnerable settings.
He noted that the current outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of timely, patient-centred care during health emergencies and called for countries to integrate the recommendations into preparedness and response systems.
The guidelines were developed through international expert input and updated clinical evidence, with the aim of standardising how patients are treated and strengthening health system readiness through better planning, equipment, laboratory capacity, and trained personnel.
Among the key recommendations are improved use of laboratory testing to quickly identify complications such as low blood sugar and metabolic imbalances, aggressive and early correction of dehydration using oral or intravenous fluids, and prompt treatment of shock using carefully monitored fluid and medication support.
The document also highlights the importance of early antibiotic use when secondary bacterial infections are suspected, as well as structured follow-up care for survivors to manage lingering health issues and reduce complications linked to viral persistence.
WHO emphasized that rapid diagnosis, quick referral, and consistent supportive care remain central to improving survival in Ebola and Marburg cases, adding that these measures also provide the clinical foundation for evaluating future antiviral therapies.
The organization says the new guidance is intended to harmonize care across countries and strengthen frontline response capacity during outbreaks.
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