Muslima wrote:We shouldn't be too concerned about Ebola spreading to the US or other wealthy countries. It's transmitted entirely through exposure to bodily fluids. In settings with Ebola, there's bleeding in a variety of places and the virus is present in those excretions, and people need to come into contact with that to get the virus. The people at risk are the family members who are taking care of sick people, those who are preparing bodies for burial, and health-care workers.

The virus is not transmitted through coughing and sneezing, or through sitting next to someone on a bus, plane or the like. The idea that the virus can somehow mutate and become more readily transmissible from person to person through coughing or sneezing—those are Hollywood scenarios. The idea that Ebola can become more readily transmissible through casual contact is unrealistic.

Isn't that pretty much exactly what happened with Ebola Reston in The Hot Zone?

Some viruses mutate more quickly than others. That's the reason an effective HIV vaccine hasn't been found.

We shouldn't be too concerned about Ebola spreading to the US or other wealthy countries. It's transmitted entirely through exposure to bodily fluids. In settings with Ebola, there's bleeding in a variety of places and the virus is present in those excretions, and people need to come into contact with that to get the virus. The people at risk are the family members who are taking care of sick people, those who are preparing bodies for burial, and health-care workers.

The virus is not transmitted through coughing and sneezing, or through sitting next to someone on a bus, plane or the like. The idea that the virus can somehow mutate and become more readily transmissible from person to person through coughing or sneezing—those are Hollywood scenarios. The idea that Ebola can become more readily transmissible through casual contact is unrealistic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brother planning a business trip to Sierra Leone next week. Thank goodness the Peace Corps is pulling out and (hopefully) he won't go.
West Africa is far away and not a threat to us here, but if you go there ...

West Africa isn't so "far away" anymore. Ebola was just a plane ride away from making landfall in the U.S.

Good point--glad someone noted this.

Anonymous wrote:Brother planning a business trip to Sierra Leone next week. Thank goodness the Peace Corps is pulling out and (hopefully) he won't go.
West Africa is far away and not a threat to us here, but if you go there ...

West Africa isn't so "far away" anymore. Ebola was just a plane ride away from making landfall in the U.S.

Anonymous wrote:Hong Kong screens all arrivals for high temperatures on arrivals so they are at least a bit better prepared than most countries. After SARS, they will not hesitate to quarantine people so I would probably trust them to handle this situation better than the UK or US.

How do they scan everyone? Thermal sensitive cameras?

Anonymous wrote:Norovirus is only transmitted through contact with fecal matter or vomit. It is not airborne. And yet it can spread thorough a school or cruise ship like wildfire. I'm not so sure that Ebola couldn't do the same.

I really do not want to find out first hand!

Brother planning a business trip to Sierra Leone next week. Thank goodness the Peace Corps is pulling out and (hopefully) he won't go.
West Africa is far away and not a threat to us here, but if you go there ...

Scientists don't know everything about ebola. It hasn't been around to be studied for very long.

It looks like some believe ebola can live on surfaces for several days. The doctors that are suiting up and getting sick are an indication that it is highly contagious. Most of those doctors are not used to biohazard protocol, but some are and are still getting sick. It's not airborne, but perhaps it is heartier than previously anticipated.

I don't think it can spread here because of the practices of our hospitals and health care workers. Do these ebola tents in Liberia even have running water?

-mom who's been obsessed with viruses for many, many years

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, thanks to those who read webmd or the cdc site! Your intelligence dazzles us.

It's almost as impressive as your kindness.

So sad that others only begin to see a problem when it becomes a possibility that it will reach their shores. The selflessness of those battling this monstrous outbreak overseas is astounding and the only kindness that matters at this point.

Hong Kong screens all arrivals for high temperatures on arrivals so they are at least a bit better prepared than most countries. After SARS, they will not hesitate to quarantine people so I would probably trust them to handle this situation better than the UK or US.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, thanks to those who read webmd or the cdc site! Your intelligence dazzles us.

It's almost as impressive as your kindness.

Yes, thanks to those who read webmd or the cdc site! Your intelligence dazzles us.

I actually feel much better after reading this -- hope the posters are correct! (and I'm ignoring the usual nasty posters). Thanks to those with scientific knowledge, helping out the rest of us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Norovirus is only transmitted through contact with fecal matter or vomit. It is not airborne. And yet it can spread thorough a school or cruise ship like wildfire. I'm not so sure that Ebola couldn't do the same.

Norovirus can be spread through contaminated water or food. Ebola cannot.

Not even close to the same thing.

What if a food service worker who cannot take sick leave gets Ebola, continues to stay at work even when vomiting/diarrhea begins. Trace amounts of vomit/diarrhea gets into food or water, etc.

I don't see how how it couldn't be transmitted in the same way. Isn't that how norovirus is transmitted through food/water?

Are you looking for an excuse to panic? Oh My God We are all going to dieeeeeee of Ebola? Everyone Shepter in Place for 12- 20 weeeeeeeeeeeeks! For God's sake Close . The. Borders. Do it NOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW

?

Uh - I'm not worried about it myself, but I was just curious about how it is transmitted.

So it sounds like norovirus might be more persistent and spread more easily (takes a smaller amount of the virus)?

Yes it is more persistent -- it can stay alive on an inanimate object like a doorknob for a long time. Apparently the ebola virus cant' do that -- it has to be transmitted by the actual body fluid it lives in.

Thanks for clarifying!