Until this week, the deadly Ebola virus that has claimed nearly 900 lives had seemed an ocean away.
Now amid recent scares of infected Americans and patients possibly flying from Africa onto U.S. soil, its fear is closer than many expected.
Fortunately contracting the deadly virus, said to have a fatality rate of up to 90%, is not only preventable but health officials say has a relatively small threat to Americans at home.
Here are some fast facts on what you need to know about Ebola:
HOW DO YOU GET IT?
Human-to-human transmission, primarily through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine, feces, or semen
Contact with contaminated objects such as needles and/or soiled bedding or clothing
It’s not airborne like the flu
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat
Vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, some cases internal and external bleeding
HOW LONG BEFORE SYMPTOMS SHOW?
Anywhere from 2 to 21 days, though 8 to 10 days is most common
WHAT DISEASES SHOULD BE RULED OUT FIRST?
Malaria, typhoid fever, shigellosis, cholera, leptospirosis, plague, rickettsiosis, relapsing fever, meningitis, hepatitis and other viral haemorrhagic fevers
HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?
Avoid direct contact with bodily fluids, someone suffering from Ebola or already deceased from it
Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when in risk of such contact
Wear gloves, a mask, and a long-protective gown if coming within a meter of an infected patient
Anyone suspected of contracting the virus should be isolated and public health professionals notified
HOW IS IT TREATED?
Balancing the patient’s fluids and electrolytes
Maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure
Treating them for any complicating infections
There is no licensed vaccine available though several are being tested
WHERE ARE THE OUTBREAKS?
Primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests
In Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone there have been 1,440 suspect and confirmed cases and 826 deaths as of July 30
HOW ARE U.S. OFFICIALS HANDLING THE VIRUS’ POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FROM OVERSEAS?
Border patrol agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Dulles Airport in Washington have been instructed to question incoming travelers about possible exposure to the virus and look for its symptoms