Although outbreaks of Ebola may happen in parts of the world, there's no reason
to panic. When those with Ebola are correctly diagnosed, isolated, and cared
for, the risk of passing the disease to others is low.
In the meantime, travelers should avoid going to areas where an outbreak
of Ebola has been reported. Those who need to travel to these regions should take
precautions to avoid becoming infected.
What Is Ebola?
Ebola, or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF), is a contagious and
life-threatening disease that affects humans and other primates, like monkeys, gorillas,
and chimpanzees. It causes the body's immune system to go into overdrive — which
can lead to severe bleeding, organ failure, and death.
Ebola gets its name from the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly
Zaire). The disease was first reported in a village on the river in 1976. Since then,
there have been a few outbreaks of the disease in western Africa, Uganda, and Sudan.
How It Spreads
Doctors aren't sure how the first person gets Ebola at the start of an outbreak,
but they think that people may pick up the virus from contact with infected animals.
Tropical animals in Africa believed to carry the virus include gorillas, monkeys, fruit
bats, porcupines, and forest antelope.
Once someone has Ebola, he or she can pass the virus to others in different ways.
People can get the virus by handling or touching drops of blood, urine (pee), or other
body fluids of someone infected with the disease, or through contact with objects
(such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected blood or fluids.
Because of this, Ebola can spread quickly within families and in health centers
where caregivers or others don't wear proper protective gear.
Ebola doesn't spread through food or water like some viruses do. It also doesn't
travel through the air like cold or flu viruses do.