• Question: what is the cause of ebola, been wondering this for a while, thanks!

    Asked by 855furk43 to Chris, Joanne, Kathryn, Kieran, Sarah on 8 Nov 2017. This question was also asked by 238furk43, 279furk43, 758furk43.
    • Photo: Kathryn Schoenrock

      Kathryn Schoenrock answered on 8 Nov 2017:

      The Ebola virus is found in Africa. There are actually five species of it named for their regions like ‘Sudan virus’. The virus affects humans and other apes species (only 4 species actually infect humans), but can also be found in bats (they don’t get sick though).

      The reason for sickness in a lot of people- called outbreaks- is thought to be from people eating ‘bush meat’ or wild caught animals, especially bats and monkeys. The virus then goes from person to person like the flu by coming in contact with mucus membranes- areas like the mouth and nose- or broken skin (blood). So it’s easy to see how one person eating the virus could spread it to their family and further without even knowing, just through a kiss or a sneeze.

    • Photo: Chris Werner

      Chris Werner answered on 8 Nov 2017:

      Great question, and Kathryn’s explained it as well I ever could! Ebola itself is a virus species, and spreads only by direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of a person who has developed symptoms of the disease.

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