Ebola virus disease, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, or Ebola is a disease of humans and other primate mammals caused by an ebolavirus. Symptoms start 2 days and up to 3 weeks after contracting the virus, with a muscle pain, sore throat, fever and headaches Vomiting, diarrhea, rash as well as decreased function of the liver and kidneys. Once affected people may begin to bleed both internally and externally.
The virus can be spread upon contact with blood or bodily fluids of an infected animal. Ebola is not airborne although, carriers such as fruit bats may spread the virus without being affected. Once human infection occurs, the disease may spread between people.
Prevention includes decreasing the spread of disease from infected animals 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 properly when around a person with the disease.
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