Title: Ebola virus disease: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Headings: Ebola virus disease
Ebola virus disease
Causes
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Content: For the latest information on this outbreak and on Ebola in general, visit the World Health Organization website at www.who.int/health-topics/ebola. HOW EBOLA CAN SPREAD
Ebola does not spread as easily as more common illnesses such as colds, the flu, or measles. There is NO evidence that the virus that causes Ebola is spread through the air or water. A person who has Ebola CANNOT spread the disease until symptoms appear. Ebola can ONLY spread between humans by direct contact with infected body fluids including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen. The virus can enter the body through a break in the skin or through mucous membranes, including the eyes, nose, and mouth. Ebola can also spread by contact with ANY surfaces, objects, and materials that have been in contact with body fluids from a sick person, such as: Bedclothes and bedding
Clothing
Bandages
Needles and syringes
Medical equipment
In Africa, Ebola may also be spread by: Handling infected wild animals hunted for food (bushmeat)
Contact with blood or body fluids of infected animals
Contact with infected bats
Ebola does NOT spread through: Air
Water
Food
Insects (mosquitoes)
Health care workers and people caring for sick relatives are at high risk for developing Ebola because they are more likely to come in to direct contact with body fluids.