How to make the diagnosis of Ebola infectiion?

Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fevers are difficult to diagnose because early signs and symptoms resemble those of other diseases, such as typhoid and malaria. If doctors suspect you have Ebola or Marburg viruses, they use blood tests to quickly identify the virus, including:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitors the United States for conditions such as Ebola infection, and its labs can test for the Ebola virus. Mayo Clinic does not test for the Ebola and Marburg viruses.