The Young Chronicle: For Grade 3 November 21st, 2014 | Page 5

YOUNG CHRONICLE

November 21st , 2014

Kaun Bola? Ebola…
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Ebola is a deadly virus and its symptoms can start with fever and headache, like flu. But it can get worse and be life
threatening by causing bleeding and breathing trouble. This is why it's very important that infected people get
treatment right away. People who have Ebola need to be cared for in a special way so that the disease doesn't
spread to doctors, nurses, or others in their families and communities.
How Do People Catch Ebola?
Ebola does not spread like a cold or flu. It doesn’t spread through air or touch, or food or water like some other
viruses.
Instead, it spreads when someone touches the body fluids (such as spit) of a sick person. That's why it's so
important that hospital workers wear protective equipment that covers them from head to toe.

What Is an Outbreak?
An outbreak is when many people start falling sick with the same illness around the same time.
Where Did Ebola Come From?
Scientists aren't sure how the first person caught Ebola. But they think that people may have picked it up by eating
infected animals. Tropical animals in Africa that are believed to carry the virus include great apes, chimpanzees,
gorillas, monkeys, fruit bats, porcupines, and forest antelopes.

The Ebola epidemic gets its name from the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The disease was first
reported in a village on the river in 1976. Since then, there have been a few outbreaks of the disease in western
Africa, Uganda, Sudan, and one case has been reported in Mumbai too.
How Can Ebola be prevented?
Ebola is making many people sick in Africa, but no matter where you live, it's always a good idea to wash your
hands well and often. Keeping your hands clean can help protect you from common illnesses like colds and the flu.

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