Ebola Virus

What is Ebola?  Ebola is the cause of a viral hemorrhagic fever disease. Symptoms include: fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, lack of appetite and abnormal bleeding. Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola virus, though 8-10 days is most common.

How does Ebola spread?  You can only get Ebola from touching bodily fluids from a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, or from exposure to contaminated objects, such as needles.  Contact with infected fruit bats or primates (apes or monkeys), and possibly from contact with semen from a man who has recovered from Ebola (for example, by having oral, vaginal, or anal sex).

Ebola is NOT spread through air, water, or food. You can live with a roommate or attend class with a student who has been to an affected area without putting yourself at risk.