The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the Ebola Virus Disease as an illness in humans that is severe, and often fatal. The Ebola virus takes its names from its first documented location in a village that was near the Ebola River. The first documented case appeared in two outbreaks located in Nzara, Sudan and Yambuku, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most locations that are afflicted with the Ebola virus are located in Central and West Africa. When an Ebola outbreak happens, it can have a 90% death rate among those who are afflicted. With the current outbreak, the mortality rate is at 70%. Read on to learn how ebola virus transmits and how to avoid ebola virus transmission.
What’s Ebola Virus’s Mode of Transmission?
The Ebola Virus has many modes in which it can be transmitted. However, fruit bats are thought to be a natural Ebola virus host. However, the virus can also be found in other animals such as chimpanzees, monkeys, gorillas, porcupines, and forest antelope. It is usually through the organs, bodily fluids, secretions or blood of these types of infected animals that the virus is spread to humans. Many times these animals are found dead or ill, and humans come into contact with them in these types of situations.
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Transmission Is Made Through Direct Contact
For the Ebola Virus to spread from one human to another, it requires direct contact with someone who is infected. This means through the blood, organs, human secretions, or bodily fluids of an infected person coming into contact with a cut or abrasion of the skin or the mucous membranes of a well person. An infected person can also pass along the virus via surfaces or materials such as their personal bedding or clothing that have these fluids contained on them.
Due to the human to human contact in the medical field, many healthcare workers are often contaminated while on the job. Many times this has happened, and it is due to the medical staff not taking proper precautions when dealing with an infection of this status.
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The Virus Can Still Be Transmitted Even Though the Person Is Dead
There are often times in which the Ebola Virus is spread during burial ceremonies. Those who attend the burial service and have contact with the body can become contaminated with the virus, even though the person has died.
A person is infectious with the Ebola virus as long as the virus is still alive in their bodily fluids and their blood. These fluids do include the semen and breast milk. In fact, men who have fully recovered from the Ebola virus still have the virus alive in their semen for up to 7 weeks after being recovered, and can still pass this to others during this time.
How is Ebola transmitted from CBS News:
