How does Ebola spread?

1

Origin

Scientists believe fruit bats are the natural hosts of the Ebola virus.

Fruit bat

Spread between animals

2

Infected animals, like apes and porcupines, can spread the virus to other animals.

Chimpanzee

Gorilla

Forest antelope

Porcupine

Animal-to-human spillover

3

Humans can become infected through close contact with ill or dead animals in the rainforest.

Scientists believe humans first contracted Ebola through hunting, handling and eating infected wild animals.

Incubation PERIOD: 2-21 days

Symptoms

Typical symptoms:

Fever

Fatigue

Muscle pain

Headache

Sore throat

Followed by:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Rash

Internal and external bleeding

Person-to-person transmission

4

The infection is spread between people by direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.

Each infected person infects an average of two people.*

People can only transmit the disease if they are currently exhibiting symptoms or have died from the virus.

1

Origin

Scientists believe fruit bats are the natural hosts of the Ebola virus.

Fruit bat

Spread between animals

2

Infected animals, like apes and porcupines, can spread the virus to other animals.

Chimpanzee

Gorilla

Forest antelope

Porcupine

Animal-to-human spillover

3

Humans can become infected through close contact with ill or dead animals in the rainforest.

Scientists believe humans first contracted Ebola through hunting, handling and eating infected wild animals.

Incubation PERIOD: 2-21 days

Symptoms

Typical symptoms:

Fever

Fatigue

Muscle pain

Headache

Sore throat

Followed by:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Rash

Internal and external bleeding

Person-to-person transmission

4

The infection is spread between people by direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.

Each infected person infects an average of two people.*

People can only transmit the disease if they are currently exhibiting symptoms or have died from the virus.

1

Origin

Scientists believe fruit bats are the natural hosts of the Ebola virus.

Spread between animals

2

Infected animals, like apes and porcupines, can spread the virus to other animals.

Fruit bat

Forest antelope

Chimpanzee

Porcupine

Gorilla

Animal-to-human spillover

3

Humans can become infected through close contact with ill or dead animals in the rainforest.

Scientists believe humans first contracted Ebola through hunting, handling and eating infected wild animals.

Incubation PERIOD: 2-21 days

Symptoms

Typical symptoms:

Fever

Fatigue

Muscle pain

Headache

Sore throat

Followed by:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Rash

Internal and external bleeding

Person-to-person transmission

4

The infection is spread between people by direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.

Each infected person infects an average of two people.*

People can only transmit the disease if they are currently exhibiting symptoms or have died from the virus.