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Rachel V Thomas

Why Ebola Does Not Spread Like COVID-19: Experts Explain

The ongoing <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/ebola">Ebola</a> outbreak</span> in Africa, with nearly 1,000 cases and over 200 deaths, has sparked concerns among people, bringing back memories of the COVID-19 pandemic. With every new outbreak, fears about viruses becoming airborne like SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, tend to rise.

However, experts have clarified that <span>Ebola</span> is not airborne and does not spread like COVID-19.

<h2>Why Ebola Spread Is Not Like COVID</h2>

“Ebola is a serious viral hemorrhagic disease,” said Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary General, People’s Health Organisation (India).

“Ebola does NOT spread through casual airborne exposure like influenza or COVID-19. Individuals become infectious only after symptoms begin, not during the incubation period. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days,” he added.

Former AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria told PTI that Ebola is “a zoonotic infection, mainly originating in bats.”

“Ebola does not spread through air like respiratory viruses. It spreads only through direct contact with infected body fluids,” he added.

Experts further explained that Ebola is far more difficult to spread than airborne respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, measles, and even the Andes strain of hantavirus, which recently caused an outbreak on a cruise ship.

“Ebola is not airborne. There's no evidence of that at all. To be infected, you've got to have body fluid contact with someone who is quite ill,” said Michael T. Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota.

According to Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, people with Ebola do not spread the virus before developing symptoms.

The experts reiterated that during Ebola’s incubation period, which ranges from 2–21 days, an infected person is generally not contagious, unlike COVID-19, where transmission can occur before symptoms appear.

Moreover, even early Ebola symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, and body aches are less likely to spread the virus compared to respiratory infections.

Ebola does not spread through coughing, sneezing, or casual contact like shaking hands.

“You cannot get Ebola from passing someone in an airport, sitting near someone freely, or through other casual contacts,” explained Captain Satish K. Pillai, Incident Manager for Ebola Response at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-cases-cross-900-death-toll-tops-200-10-countries-on-high-alert-article-154392066" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola Cases Cross 900, Death Toll Tops 200; 10 Countries On High Alert</a>

<h2><span rel="noindex">How Ebola Spreads</span></h2>

<ul><li>Direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids</li><li>Contact with contaminated surfaces or medical equipment</li><li>Unsafe caregiving exposure</li><li>Traditional burial practices involving direct contact</li><li>Certain zoonotic animal exposures</li></ul>    

<strong>Common Symptoms Of Ebola</strong>

<ul><li>Sudden fever</li><li>Severe weakness and fatigue</li><li>Headache</li><li>Muscle and body pain</li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Abdominal pain</li><li>Vomiting and diarrhoea</li><li>Rash</li></ul>

<strong>Severe illness may involve:</strong>

<ul><li>Bleeding manifestations</li><li>Shock</li><li>Multi-organ dysfunction</li></ul>

Historical case fatality rates have ranged from 25% to 90%, depending on the virus strain, outbreak conditions, and access to timely medical care.

<h2>Ebola: How You Can Stay Safe</h2><strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-outbreak-university-of-glasgow-researcher-explains-why-bundibugyo-virus-is-concerning-article-154345470" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola Outbreak: University of Glasgow Researcher Explains Why Bundibugyo Virus Is Concerning</a>

<ul><li>Washing your hands often</li><li>Avoiding contact with bodily fluids</li><li>Avoiding contact with individuals who appear ill or who have a fever</li><li>Avoiding objects that have come in contact with an infected individual, such as bedding, clothing or medical equipment</li><li>Not handling someone who has died from Ebola</li><li>Avoiding contact with bats and nonhuman primates, and raw meat from these animals</li><li>Avoiding seeking medical care at hospitals where patients are being treated for Ebola</li><li>Paying attention to your health for 21 days after returning from a country where Ebola has been found</li><li>Seeking medical attention immediately if you experience any Ebola symptoms</li></ul>

<h2>How To Prepare Healthcare Systems</h2>

<ul><li>Immediate isolation protocols for suspected cases</li><li>PPE readiness across designated hospitals</li><li>Emergency infection control drills and refresher training for healthcare workers</li><li>Laboratory diagnostic preparedness with safe specimen handling</li><li>Contact tracing systems</li><li>Central and state public health coordination</li></ul>

The expert also urged authorities to strengthen “science, surveillance, preparedness, and infection control” to curb the spread of the disease.

Dr Guleria called for stricter infection control, timely isolation, and avoiding direct contact with infected persons remain key preventive measures. They also noted that Ebola outbreaks have largely remained confined to Africa due to effective containment efforts.

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The ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa, with nearly 1,000 cases and over 200 deaths, has sparked concerns among people, bringing back memories of the COVID-19 pandemic. With every new outbreak, fears about viruses becoming airborne like SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, tend to rise.However, experts have clarified that Ebola is not airborne and does not spread like COVID-19.Why Ebola Spread Is Not Like COVID“Ebola is a serious viral hemorrhagic disease,” said Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary General, People’s Health Organisation (India).“Ebola does NOT spread through casual airborne exposure like influenza or COVID-19. Individuals become infectious only after symptoms begin, not during the incubation period. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days,” he added.Former AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria told PTI that Ebola is “a zoonotic infection, mainly originating in bats.”“Ebola does not spread through air like respiratory viruses. It spreads only through direct contact with infected body fluids,” he added.Experts further explained that Ebola is far more difficult to spread than airborne respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, measles, and even the Andes strain of hantavirus, which recently caused an outbreak on a cruise ship.“Ebola is not airborne. There's no evidence of that at all. To be infected, you've got to have body fluid contact with someone who is quite ill,” said Michael T. Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota.According to Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, people with Ebola do not spread the virus before developing symptoms.The experts reiterated that during Ebola’s incubation period, which ranges from 2–21 days, an infected person is generally not contagious, unlike COVID-19, where transmission can occur before symptoms appear.Moreover, even early Ebola symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, and body aches are less likely to spread the virus compared to respiratory infections.Ebola does not spread through coughing, sneezing, or casual contact like shaking hands.“You cannot get Ebola from passing someone in an airport, sitting near someone freely, or through other casual contacts,” explained Captain Satish K. Pillai, Incident Manager for Ebola Response at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Also read: Ebola Cases Cross 900, Death Toll Tops 200; 10 Countries On High AlertHow Ebola SpreadsEbola spreads through:Direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluidsContact with contaminated surfaces or medical equipmentUnsafe caregiving exposureTraditional burial practices involving direct contactCertain zoonotic animal exposures    Common Symptoms Of EbolaCommon symptoms include:Sudden feverSevere weakness and fatigueHeadacheMuscle and body painSore throatAbdominal painVomiting and diarrhoeaRashSevere illness may involve:Bleeding manifestationsShockMulti-organ dysfunctionHistorical case fatality rates have ranged from 25% to 90%, depending on the virus strain, outbreak conditions, and access to timely medical care.Ebola: How You Can Stay SafeRead More: Ebola Outbreak: University of Glasgow Researcher Explains Why Bundibugyo Virus Is ConcerningWashing your hands oftenAvoiding contact with bodily fluidsAvoiding contact with individuals who appear ill or who have a feverAvoiding objects that have come in contact with an infected individual, such as bedding, clothing or medical equipmentNot handling someone who has died from EbolaAvoiding contact with bats and nonhuman primates, and raw meat from these animalsAvoiding seeking medical care at hospitals where patients are being treated for EbolaPaying attention to your health for 21 days after returning from a country where Ebola has been foundSeeking medical attention immediately if you experience any Ebola symptomsHow To Prepare Healthcare SystemsDr Gilada stressed the importance of:Immediate isolation protocols for suspected casesPPE readiness across designated hospitalsEmergency infection control drills and refresher training for healthcare workersLaboratory diagnostic preparedness with safe specimen handlingContact tracing systemsCentral and state public health coordinationThe expert also urged authorities to strengthen “science, surveillance, preparedness, and infection control” to curb the spread of the disease.Dr Guleria called for stricter infection control, timely isolation, and avoiding direct contact with infected persons remain key preventive measures. They also noted that Ebola outbreaks have largely remained confined to Africa due to effective containment efforts.

why ebola does not spread like covid-19: experts explain

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