Can anyone tell me about ebola virus disease and how to prevent it?

Ebola: Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) is the human disease caused by the Ebola virus. Symptoms typically start two days to three weeks after contracting the virus, with a fever, sore throat, muscle pains, and headaches. Typically nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea follow, along with decreased functioning of the liver and kidneys. At this point, some people begin to have bleeding problems.[1] The virus may be acquired upon contact with blood or bodily fluids of an infected animal (commonly monkeys or fruit bats).[1] Spread through the air has not been documented in the natural environment.[2] Fruit bats are believed to carry and spread the virus without being affected. Once human infection occurs, the disease may spread between people as well. Male survivors may be able to transmit the disease via semen for nearly two months. In order to make the diagnosis, typically other diseases with similar symptoms such as malaria, cholera and other viral hemorrhagic fevers are first excluded. To confirm the diagnosis blood samples are tested for viral antibodies, viral RNA, or the virus itself.[1] Prevention includes decreasing the spread of disease from infected monkeys and pigs to humans. This may be done by checking such animals for infection and killing and properly disposing of the bodies if the disease is discovered. Properly cooking meat and wearing protective clothing when handling meat may also be helpful, as are wearing protective clothing and washing hands when around a person with the disease. Samples of bodily fluids and tissues from people with the disease should be handled with special caution.[1]

Easy prevention: Ebola is spread by direct contact with an infected individual or the body and fluids of an infected person. So unless you are planning a trip to West Africa, you almost certainly cannot encounter Ebola.

Ebola: Ebola has been found in West African Countries of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal. 1 case in Texas was in a Liberian National who traveled to the US. Transmission is from someone who has signs of infection via contact with blood or bodily fluids or through contact with contaminated objects. According to CDC, incubation period is 2 to 21 days with average of 8 to 10 days. >