Ebola Virus: Top Tips, Facts, and Resources to Keep People Safe

Ebola Virus: Top Tips, Facts, and Resources to Keep People SafeIn the wake of the recent concern over the spread of the Ebola Virus, including a recent case within the United States, the CDC and other experts are providing useful tips and information designed to help answer common questions about Ebola, and keep the public safe from the virus.

What you should know about Ebola
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that a person who traveled from West Africa to Dallas, Texas was diagnosed with the Ebola virus. Health officials are also monitoring a person who was in close contact with the first-reported U.S. Ebola patient. However, because Ebola is only transmitted through close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual, the CDC says it is unlikely that a serious outbreak would occur in a developed country such as the U.S.

How is the Ebola virus transmitted?


The Ebola virus is transmitted through close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids or objects contaminated by infected fluids. It does not spread through casual contact or through the air, and you cannot get the virus from an infected person who is not showing symptoms. The likelihood of contracting Ebola is extremely low.

What are the symptoms of Ebola?
Symptoms include: fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, lack of appetite, and abnormal bleeding. Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to the Ebola virus though eight to 10 days is most common. Infected persons are not contagious until they are displaying symptoms.

Travel Restrictions related to the Ebola virus
The CDC and IATA have approved continued air service to the regions in West Africa that have been affected by Ebola, but recommend against non-essential travel into the area.

Here are some additional CDC resources which provide more information about the Ebola virus and how to prevent the spread:
– Ebola FAQs compiled by the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/qa.html
– Q&A on Ebola Transmission: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/transmission/qas.html

About Alyssa Jayden

Alyssa Jayden - One of our newest writers, Ms Jayden brings a fresh perspective to a variety of topics. She focuses most of her efforts covering our Health and Travel sections. a_jayden@newstaar.com