Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a rare and serious viral infection. Initial symptoms typically include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Additional symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, red eyes, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding inside and outside of the body.
Africa is experiencing an outbreak of EVD.
The risk to Canadians remains very low. While
there has never been a case of EVD in Canada, extensive planning efforts are underway regionally and provincially to ensure a coordinated response to EVD.
It's important to know EVD does not spread easily from person to person. It is spread from touching bodily fluids of a person who is sick with, or has died from the disease, or from exposure to contaminated objects, such as needles. Ebola is not spread through the air, food or water. People who are infected with Ebola are not contagious if they do not have symptoms.
Watch Deputy Medical Health Officer Dr. Johnmark Opondo answer questions about
Saskatoon Health Region's preparedness for Ebola (YouTube, Oct. 16, 2014).
Related Websites
