CDC website
quote:
When an infection does occur in humans, the virus can be spread in several ways to others. Ebola is spread through direct contact (through
broken skin or mucous membranes) with
- blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola
- objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus
- infected animals
- Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, food.
However, in Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat
(wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats.
Healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients and the family and friends in close
contact with Ebola patients are at the highest risk of getting sick
because they may come in contact with infected blood or body fluids of
sick patients.
During outbreaks of Ebola, the disease can spread quickly within healthcare settings (such as a clinic or hospital).
Exposure to Ebola can occur in healthcare settings where hospital staff
are not wearing appropriate protective equipment, including masks,
gowns, and gloves and eye protection.
Dedicated medical equipment (preferable disposable, when possible) should be used by healthcare
personnel providing patient care. Proper cleaning and disposal of
instruments, such as needles and syringes, is also important. If
instruments are not disposable, they must be sterilized before being
used again. Without adequate sterilization of the instruments, virus
transmission can continue and amplify an outbreak.
Once someone recovers from Ebola, they can no longer spread the virus. However, Ebola
virus has been found in semen for up to 3 months. People who recover
from Ebola are advised to abstain from sex or use condoms for 3 months.
I'm guessing that ebola is probably not going to pose the same problems here as it has in Africa. And even there, in countries that follow certain protocols, like Nigeria, the quickly contain the outbreaks.
