Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that originated in Africa, where there is currently an outbreak. But for people living in countries outside Africa, it continues to be a very low threat.
The current outbreak of the Ebola virus mainly affects three countries in West Africa: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Around 24,282 cases and more than 9,976 deaths have been reported by the World Health Organization. This is the largest known outbreak of Ebola.
Two imported cases, including one death, and two locally acquired cases in healthcare workers were reported in the United States. CDC and its partners are taking precautions to prevent additional Ebola cases in the United States. CDC is working with other U.S. government agencies, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other domestic and international partners and has activated its Emergency Operations Center to help coordinate technical assistance and control activities with partners. CDC has also deployed teams of public health experts to West Africa and will continue to send experts to the affected countries.
What are the symptoms, of ebola and what should I do if I think I'm infected?
A person infected with Ebola virus will typically develop a fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, a sore throat, and intense muscle weakness.
These symptoms start suddenly, between two and 21 days after becoming infected.
If you feel unwell with the above symptoms within 21 days of coming back from Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone, you should stay at home and immediately telephone 111 or 999 and explain that you have recently visited West Africa.
"Over time, symptoms become increasingly severe" and may include:
- "Nausea and vomiting"".
- "Diarrhea" (may be bloody)
- "Red eyes."
- "Raised rash".
- Chest pain and cough.
- Stomach pain.
- Severe weight loss.
- Bleeding, usually from the eyes, and bruising (people near death may bleed from other orifices, such as ears, nose and rectum)
How does Ebola spread among people?
People can become infected with the Ebola virus if they come into contact with the blood, body fluids or organs of an infected person.
Most people are infected by giving care to other infected people, either by directly touching the victim's body or by cleaning up body fluids (stools, urine or vomit) that carry infectious blood.
Read more information about how Ebola spreads, and how the outbreak started.
However, the study does raise the possibility that pigs are a host for Ebola. If this proves to be true in the wild, there are direct ramifications for prevention and control measures. It is still unclear what role pigs play in the chain of transmission. To continue work on answering this question, the team plans to take samples from pigs in areas known to have recently Ebola outbreaks.
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