As West Africa struggles with containing a deadly Ebola outbreak, health officials are working to calm fears in the United States and abroad about how the virus spreads, and how to find treatment if infected, according to The Associated Press.
Ebola spreads by direct contact with an Ebola patient's blood or other bodily fluids like urine, saliva, and sweat with the highest concentration of virus is thought to be in blood, vomit and diarrhea, the AP reported.
Someone can also get infected by handling soiled clothing or bed sheets without protection, and then touching their nose, mouth or eyes, according to the AP.
People can also catch the disease by eating infected bushmeat, as Ebola can sicken animals including bats, chimpanzees and antelopes, the AP reported. Scientist think fruit bats might be the source of the virus, but aren't certain.
The most vulnerable people are health care workers and family members or others who care for the sick, and because of the deadly nature of the disease, health workers should wear protective gear, especially when handling things like contaminated syringes, according to the AP.
Such equipment is not commonly available in Africa, leading to alarming death rates, and the disease isn't always quickly recognized as they are similar to other diseases like malaria and cholera, the AP reported.
There is no evidence Ebola can be spread in the air by sneezing or coughing and the virus can be contaminated by isolating anyone with symptoms while testing is done, taking precautions while providing them medical care and tracking down anyone they were in close contact with when they got sick, according to the AP.
Those who have had direct contact with an Ebola patient are advised to take their temperature twice a day for three weeks, which is the incubation period for the disease, the AP reported. If they show symptoms, they should then be isolated and tested.
The World Health Organization recommends that only trained personnel handle the bodies of Ebola victims, the Ap reported.
Ebola first appeared nearly 40 years ago, with many cases in the past being linked to people burying their loved ones, involving ritual cleansing of the body and kissing the body, according to the AP.
