The present invention is concerned with oligonucleotides that can be used as in the amplification and detection of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) nucleic acid, in particular RNA-specific sequences. Furthermore a method for the diagnosis of EBV associated malignant and non-malignant diseases is provided. The oligonucleotides according to the present invention are specifically suited for the detection of EBV gene expression in circulating peripheral blood cells, in human (tumor) tissue samples and thin sections thereof using "in solution" amplification or "in situ" amplification techniques and in other biological samples potentially containing EBV-infected cells.