Ebola Virus Disease in Pregnancy: Maternal–Fetal Outcomes, Vertical Transmission, and Implications for Vaccination—A Narrative Review

Background/Objectives: Ebola virus disease (EVD) during pregnancy is associated with severe maternal illness and exceptionally poor fetal and neonatal outcomes. However, pregnancy-specific evidence remains limited by small cohorts, heterogeneous outbreak settings, and the historical exclusion of pregnant women from clinical research. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes, placental involvement and vertical transmission, clinical management, and vaccination during pregnancy.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched from inception through May 2026 using predefined terms related to EVD, pregnancy, maternal and neonatal outcomes, placental infection, vertical transmission, and vaccination. WHO and CDC guidance documents and reference lists of relevant publications were also reviewed. Two reviewers independently screened records and assessed full texts. Data was extracted using a standardized template and independently verified by a second reviewer. A total of 55 publications met the inclusion criteria and were narratively synthesized.