Staff Writer
Ebola
is a deadly disease caused by an infection with one of the Ebola virus strains.
Ebola first appeared in 1976 in Sudan and immediately after in the Democratic
Republic of Congo, killing over 600 people total. The current outbreak in West
Africa occurred in March. Since then, 3,300 people have died and 72,000 cases
have been reported.
Symptoms
can occur two to 21 days after being exposed to the virus. This period of time,
when symptoms are not active, is called the incubation period. During this time,
the virus is not contagious. Symptoms can include fever, aches and pains,
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Internal and external bleeding is also an
effect in some cases.
Health
officials are promising Ebola will not spread in America. The method to stop
Ebola from spreading is called contact tracing. Individuals who have been in
contact with the infected person will be monitored for 21 days. If symptoms
develop, they’re put under isolation.
It’s
true that the odds of catching Ebola in the U.S. are low. Ebola is less
contagious than the common cold. It’s also expected an Ebola patient would stay
home, considering the harsh symptoms. The virus does not spread through the air
or water. Ebola is contracted through direct contact with bodily fluids,
objects like needles or syringes, or infected animals.
Direct
contact means getting the Ebola patient’s bodily fluids into the other person’s
eyes, mouth, nose, or bloodstream. The most dangerous bodily fluids include blood,
vomit, diarrhea, and urine. Sweat, saliva, tears, semen, and breast milk are other
bodily fluids that put one at risk.
