Infection

How does the Ebola virus spread?

Since humans do not carry the virus, infection with Ebola in humans is incidental. Also due to the fact that the natural reservoir of the virus is not known, the start of the outbreak cannot be determined. Researches claim that the first person is infected by contact with an infected animal.
Once the infection begins people are exposed to the Ebola virus by being in direct contact with the infected blood/secretions. This is the way in which the virus spreads to friends and families. The virus is also spread through contact with needles that are contaminated with the infected secretions.

Nosocomial transmission is a term used to describe the spread of disease in a clinic or hospital. Without wearing protective clothing such as a mask, gown or gloves exposure to the virus is highly likely. Numbers of people also become infected when needles or syringes are not sterilized and only rinsed before re-insertion into multi-use vials of medicine.

The Ebola-Reston virus subtype could have been transmitted through the air in the facility.

A point of interest!

There is a system for grading viruses. It is as follows: Level one - the common cold; Level two - HIV; and Ebola and Marburg is on top at level four.

The center for disease control (CDC) main laboratory is the most viral containment in the world when it comes to level four viruses. It operates under negative air pressure to prevent the escape of airborne contaminents. Workers wear massive body protection; medical scrub suits, rubber gloves, boots and all taped at the joints. On top goes a space suit with its own oxygen supply. They pass through a series of chemical showers and a bath of UV light. Two-man teams are the minimums as the one is always ready to tape over any splits in the suits which may occur. Every crevice in the lab is taped. Monitors trigger alarms if the slightest rise in air pressure occurs.