I have been asked a lot of questions about Ebola since the outbreak. And so, here I reproduce some of those questions with answers.

Ebola facts and fiction

What does the name mean?
It was discovered in 1976 in DRC close to the Ebola River. So it is named after the Ebola River

How can I get Ebola?
It is spread through direct contact with the body fluids (blood, stool, urine, saliva, semen etc) or organ of an infected dead or living person.

Symptoms?
Headache, fever, sore throat, intense weakness and muscle pain. Later, diarrhea, vomiting, kidney and liver failure and bleeding internally or externally

How long before we know if someone has Ebola?
2-21 days. During this period, the person is not infections, that is, he cannot infect other people. The person becomes infectious when the symptoms appear.

Can I get Ebola by eating bush meat, even when properly cooked?
It is transmitted through improperly cooked bush meat like monkeys and fruit bats. Contact with these infected animals or their raw meat too poses the same danger. Generally, use gloves when handling raw meat of animals.

Can it be spread by rats?
No. Rats cause another type of viral haemorrhagic fever but not Ebola.

What about chicken? Can I get it from chicken?
Nope. Infections from chicken and beef, even if not properly cooked, have not been reported. Eating raw meat can cause poisoning, though, eg raw chicken can cause Salmonella food poisoning

Can I get it by biting my finger nails?
Biting your nails provides a platform for introducing germs into your mouth and you could also inflict yourself with wounds or cuts after a biting spree. These cuts can become a source of entry of infections, including Ebola into the body.

This is not limited to nail biting…if you have any cuts or abrasions, please make sure they are properly dressed and covered up to avoid giving any infection, quick access into your body.

Do I need to wear face masks while going about my normal duties?
Nope…at least not on account of Ebola, except you’re nursing an Ebola patient. It is not spread by inhaling the same air as the infected person. There has to be body contact between one and the infected body fluids or between the cut skin of one and the infected clothings, bed dressings or body fluids of a patient

Can I get Ebola virus from money?
You can’t get it from handling money. Again, there has to be body contact with the body fluids from one who is infected.

If it can be spread through body fluids, then it means mosquitoes can spread the disease?
Nope. Mosquitoes have not been implicated in the spread of this.

Can we get it through sexual intercourse since it’s like HIV?
Well, men who have been infected can still transmit the virus for up to 7 weeks after recovery from the illness. It can also be transmitted by prick with infected needles and sharp objects

Should we stop going to burial ceremonies?
If the burial ceremony is for one who died from Ebola, avoid having any contact with the corpse, if you must attend.

What can I do?
Personal hygiene (wash your hands and use hand sanitizers when that’s not possible), Food hygiene (wash and disinfect fruits and veggies before eating), keep wounds and bruises covered and dressed. Also avoid contact with infected people and barrier nursing (wearing masks and gloves) has to be the rule for those that care for Ebola patients.

Anyone with the symptoms should please check their country’s Ministry of Health website for available treatment centers. I am working to see if I can get a list to put up here.

What was the Liberian’s mission in Nigeria?
Honestly, I don’t know and I sincerely don’t care! 😀 Let Sherlock Holmes and James Hardly Chase… and whoever ranks as the greatest crime solver of all times, figure that out. All I know is, he came and we’re here now and that’s all that matters. Let’s focus on the important issues and leave the conspiracy theories alone 😀

Hand Sanitizer tip
Buy one with at least 60% alcohol.
Rub all over your hands and be sure to keep rubbing until it all dries up. Try and touch all the places you would when you’re washing your hands normally.
And…you’re germ free:)

Remember that this virus does not survive for long outside of its host and so if we generally keep our hands clean and keep them to ourselves, we may be more than half way to winning the fight 🙂

Have a great day people 😀