A person infected with Ebola can’t spread the disease until symptoms appear -- Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood and body fluids -- Protect yourself against Ebola -- What to do if you are exposed to Ebola.

The 2014 Ebola epidemic is the largest in history.

This outbreak is affecting multiple countries in West Africa, and CDC has confirmed the first travel-associated case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States. About half the people who have gotten Ebola in this outbreak have died.

Although the risk of Ebola spreading in the United States is very low, CDC and its partners are taking actions to prevent this from happening.

CS251367B

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection