How is this disease transmitted?

UG,

IT is thought to be transmitted only thru contact with blood or body fluids, other than Ebola Reston, which was seen in a monkey complex in Reston Va, right outside Washington DC back in the 1980's, there is no evidence that it can spread via aeresol (breathing it thru the air).

The disease probably manifested itself thru the killing and eating of bushmeat, likely fruit bats or monkeys, in the rural areas of Sierra Leone. The problem now is that the disease, which manifests itself with fever and "running stomach" (diarrhea) is often confused with Malaria which the majority of the population has.  By the time it is diagnosed, too many people have been exposed.  There is no treatment, other than supportive with IV fluids and electrolytes. Untreated the death rate is about 90%.  Treated aggressively, it still is as high as 60%.  Several US citizens, working in the healthcare profession in the area have contracted the desiease and are either dead or critically ill.

OK, stupid question here, but IF it is transmitted through blood and body fluids, how are health care workers being exposed? Wouldn't they be the LAST to allow themselves contact with blood and body fluids?

If you have ever seen one of these third world hospitals you would understand.  They are primitive  and have very little support.  Usually they are a single big room where everyone is laid out on a cot.  Overwhelm them with a huge load of patients who are either vomiting, having diarrhea, or bleeding from most orifices and you have a huge messy hot zone.  On top of this, it is summer.  The contatinment suits are hot and uncomfortable.  The last two healthcare workers who have come down sick, I am told, were likely infected in the decontamination area where they wash each down before getting undressed. Evidently this strain of the disease is more contagious than previously thought and it does not take much exposrue to get it if you have any skin breaks or touch a mucus membrane.

Thanks.

Thanks for the info. Scary stuff. 

It's a good thing our president is making sure the borders are secure.

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So true, and a good thing all those illegals who do manage to slip through are all healthy and current on all their immunizations, so they pose no threat to others. Yes folks, you can relax and enjoy that buffet that is being stocked by people who don't speak English, and aren't wearing gloves while they wipe down the food area with a nasty rag.

Ebola outbreak: Victim who sparked fears of global epidemic was on way home to US

Patrick Sawyer could have brought Ebola to US but died in Nigeria while en   route to family in Minnesota

Deadly   foreign diseases are 'potential major threat'

Two Americans who are battling the deadly Ebola virus are being evacuated from Africa with the plan to fly them to U.S. hospitals to receive treatment.

The patients, who both caught the disease while in Africa, will be transported in elaborate isolation chambers and receive treatment by medical staff in protective suits.

Despite the precautions, fears about the disease have spread well beyond Africa. And when the doctors are indeed brought to the U.S., it would be the first time that people with the virus would be on American soil.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/e...fe/story?id=24804000