Ebola
What is Ebola?
Ebola is the cause of a viral hemorrahagic fever disease.
Signs & Symptoms
- Abnormal bleeding and bruising
- Diarrhea
- Fever greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
- Muscle aches and pain
- Severe headache
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Weakness
Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days.
How Ebola Spreads
Ebola is only spread through direct contact with a symptomatic, infected individual. Ebola is not spread through the air or by water.
The disease can be spread through any of the following:
- Blood or body fluids (including, but not limited to urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen) or a person who is sick with Ebola
- Objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus
- Infected animals
Ebola Exposure
If you believe you may be been exposed to Ebola through direct contact with an infected person call our communicable disease team immediately at 919-245-2400.
Ebola infographics created by the Orange County Health Department
Helpful Links
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Ebola Basics (PDF)
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS)
- Signs and Symptoms and what to do if you suspect Ebola (PDF)
- Companion Animals (PDF)
- Orange County Actively Planning and Training for Ebola (PDF) - Press Release, 10/17/14
- Orange County Emergency Services Prepared to Respond to Calls Regarding Ebola Virus (PDF) - Press Release, 10/15/14
- World Health Organization (WHO)