Ebolavirus, 3

How are Ebolaviruses transmitted? As mentioned earlier, the natural reservoir of ebolaviruses has not yet been proven. This means that the manner in which the ebolavirus first appears in a human being at the start of an outbreak is unknown. However, researchers have hypothesized that the first patient becomes infected through contact with the blood or body secretions of an infected animal. When an infection does occur in humans, there are several ways in which the virus can be transmitted to others. These include:

·         Direct contact with the blood or body secretions of an infected person

·         Exposure to objects that have been contaminated with infected blood or body secretions, as in a needle-stick

The viruses that cause Ebola HF are often spread through family members and friends because they come in close contact with infectious blood or body secretions when caring for ill persons and may not have known to take careful precautions.