5 Questions About Ebola

5 Questions About Ebola

The spread of Ebola, including two cases diagnosed in the U.S., continues to raise alarm among health officials globally. For those concerned or confused about the disease’s presence in the U.S., here are the answers to some common questions.

By WSJ [Wall Street Journal] Staff

 

How do scientists know that Ebola is only contagious once someone shows symptoms?

Scientists have a great deal of experience with Ebola from previous outbreaks in Africa. The virus first emerged in 1976, and there had been more than 2,000 cases between then and 2012. This latest outbreak has resulted in more than 4,000 deaths. Health officials are certain that a person infected with Ebola isn’t contagious until they show symptoms, such as fever, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and muscle pain.

 

 Ebola spreads if you come in contact with blood, saliva, sweat and other bodily fluids of a sick person. But what about sneezes or sweat left on a door handle?

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of patients, such as through broken skin or the eyes, nose or mouth.  It can’t be transmitted through the air like the flu or measles. However, the CDC explains: “If a symptomatic patient with Ebola coughs or sneezes on someone, and saliva or mucus come into contact with that person’s eyes, nose or mouth, these fluids may transmit the disease.”  Infection can also occur if a person has direct contact with things that have an Ebola patient’s infectious fluids on them, such as soiled clothing, bed linen, or used needles, according to the World Health Organization. Most of those who get infected are family members or health-care workers who aren’t properly protected while caring for patients.

 Can someone who has survived the disease spread it?

No. Once infected Ebola patients recover, they can’t spread the disease. However, the CDC warns that Ebola has been found in semen for up to three months, so it recommends that those who have survived use condoms and take other precautions.

 How much are people screened at U.S. airports?

Health officials emphasize that it’s extremely unlikely that someone with Ebola could spread the disease to other airline passengers. Enhanced Ebola screenings in the U.S. began on Saturday at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport for travelers coming from the most-affected West African countries. Washington Dulles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Hartsfield—Jackson Atlanta International Airport will also begin screening passengers this week. Those five airports account for 94% of all the 150 travelers who on average arrive daily from those most affected countries. Officials question passengers to find out if they have possibly been exposed to Ebola, take their temperatures and check for other symptoms.

 How do I protect myself against Ebola?

The most obvious step is to avoid travel to areas where the disease has spread rapidly, namely the West African countries that are home to the current outbreak. However, if you do travel to one of those areas, health officials urge caution and say to practice careful hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding contact with blood and bodily fluids.