• Question: how do you get ebola

    Asked by bantaclaus to Barbara, Matt, Ravinder, Sophie, Tristan on 17 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Barbara Shih

      Barbara Shih answered on 17 Mar 2015:

      It was unclear how Ebola initially spread from animals to humans, but it is believed to be direct contact with an infected animal or bat. You can get ebola if you come in contact with the blood, organs, or bodily fluid (stools, urine or vomit) of an infected individual.

    • Photo: Matthew Moore

      Matthew Moore answered on 17 Mar 2015:

      Barbara is right, it requires close contact with the bodily fluids of someone with Ebola!

      It’s not clear for how long before major symptoms start that someone is infectious though, probably best to steer clear of anyone who has recently been working in Sierra Leone, Liberia or Guinea!

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