Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses. These viruses can cause serious illness that, without treatment, can cause death. The viruses that cause Ebola disease are found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
People with Ebola disease may experience "dry" symptoms early in the course of illness. These symptoms may include fever, aches, pains, and fatigue. As the person becomes sicker, the illness typically progresses to "wet" symptoms and may include diarrhea, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding.
People can get Ebola through direct contact with a sick person’s body fluid, including blood, sweat, breast milk, semen, feces, or saliva. A patient must have Ebola symptoms to spread the disease to other people. People cannot spread Ebola if they do not have symptoms. Ebola cannot spread through breathing.
Ebola poses low risk to the public, and you can prevent infections by taking many of the same steps you use to prevent common illnesses like colds or the flu (influenza). These include:
- Avoid unnecessary contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid contact with people’s bodily fluids.
- Wash your hands often with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer if warm water and soap are unavailable.
- Avoid unnecessary travel to Ebola-affected countries (Guinea and Sierra Leone).