Ebola is a severe disease--often fatal--that affects humans and some animals. It is caused by the Ebola virus.
Ebola spreads by direct contact through broken skin or mouth, eyes or nose with:
People only become contagious after they begin to have symptoms, such as fever. Body fluids from very sick patients (those at a more severe stage of illness) are more infectious than body fluids of those who are first reporting symptoms.
Ebola does not spread through the air. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that Ebola is spread by coughing or sneezing. It is very difficult to spread Ebola during brief, casual contact, like a handshake or bumping into someone. There is virtually no risk of getting Ebola by taking public transportation.
However, large droplets (splashes or sprays) of respiratory or other secretions from a person who is sick with Ebola could be infectious. Certain precautions (standard, contact and droplet precautions) are recommended for healthcare settings to prevent the transmission of Ebola from patients to healthcare personnel and other patients or family members
The disease usually starts with an abrupt fever, possibly with headache and joint and muscle aches. Other symptoms may include:
Symptoms may appear from two to 21 days after exposure, but usually within eight to 10 days. After 21 days without symptoms, a person is not at risk for Ebola. The severity of the disease varies, but over 50% of patients with Ebola died during past outbreaks.
There is no approved medication for Ebola. Treatment focuses on supportive care and may require intensive care unit support. Experimental vaccines and treatments are in development, and safety and efficacy testing is ongoing.
Measures to stop the disease from spreading include:
The New York City Health Department stopped monitoring incoming travelers in January 2016. The World Health Organization formally declared the outbreak in West Africa over.