Ebola: The Facts
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It is the biggest Ebola outbreak the world has seen, claiming more than 4,000 lives in the last few months. West Africa has been hit the hardest by the deadly virus and it has now started to cross borders as the world reels in panic as it is spreading rapidly. Countries such as England and the US, are pulling out all the stops to keep Ebola at bay and are now screening at certain airports to make sure no one, traveling from the infected areas, is carrying the disease into the relevant countries.
We have put together some key facts about ebola that might, or might not, put your mind at rest.
1. Ebola is a virus
2. You can go up to three weeks without any symptoms after contracting Ebola.
3. The virus is often fatal and nearly half of all victims die.
4. Ebola can spread from bodily fluids such as sweat, blood, vomit, faeces, urine, saliva and semen.
5. You cannot prevent yourself from getting the virus, nor is there a vaccine.
6. Ebola isn’t airborne. You cannot catch Ebola by sitting in the same room as someone with the virus.
7. Fruit bats are believed to be the biggest carrier in nature, being able to spread the virus to other living or dead animals without being infected themselves.