Ebola Virus Disease in sub-Saharan Africa: History, Contemporary Epidemiology and Recommendations

Between 2017 and 7 March 2025, Ebola virus disease occasioned eight outbreaks killing 2,471 people out of 3,892 cases in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the pandemic capacities of the largest Ebola epidemics that occurred in West Africa from 2014-2016 and the socio-economic catastrophe wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, all hands must be on deck to mitigate recurrent Ebola outbreaks. Hence, this piece explores the historical trajectory of Ebola virus disease and its epidemiological attributes in the contemporary era. We deployed a narrative review of relevant articles on the Ebola virus disease from its inception in 1976 to 2025. Between 2001 and 2025, 26 outbreaks of EVD occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, with an average case fatality rate of 43 percent. We discovered that 46 percent of the epidemics occurred in DRC Congo, and Zaire Ebola strains were responsible for 73 percent of outbreaks. Hence, we maintain that the recurrent rate of Ebola virus disease epidemics in contemporary sub-Saharan Africa is mainly due to rapid urbanization, political instabilities, and weakened health systems. Therefore, this work underscores the need for continuing community education and engagement regarding Ebola, strengthening of disease surveillance, and a clarion call for peace in war-troubled regions of sub-Saharan Africa.