What is it?

The Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) is the human disease caused by ebola viruses. Symptoms start two days to three weeks after contracting the virus with a fever, throat and muscle pains, and headaches. There is then nausea, vomiting and diarrhea along with decreased functioning of the liver and kidneys. At this point some people begin to have problems with bleeding.

The disease is first acquired by a population when a person comes into contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected animal such as a monkey or fruit bat. Fruit bats are believed to carry and spread the disease without being affected by it. Once infection occurs, the disease may be spread from one person to another. Men who survive may be able to transmit the disease sexually for nearly two months

There is no specific treatment for the virus with efforts to help people including giving the person either oral rehydration therapy or intravenous fluids.The disease has a high death rate: often between 50% and 90% & It typically occurs in outbreaks in tropical regions of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Preventive Measures

*Avoid traveling to areas of known outbreaks. ...

*Wash your hands frequently. ...

*Avoid bush meat. ...

*Avoid contact with infected people. ...

*Follow infection-control procedures. ...

*Don't handle remains.

depending on how cautious you want to be, you may completely avoid bodily contact in public (handshakes included) to prevent contact with body fluids which include sweat, and you may decide to suspend eating publicly cooked food.

source:
1) A professor at UCH
2) http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ebola-virus/basics/prevention/con-20031241
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola_virus_disease