Got An Ebola Question? The Minnesota Department Of Health Has A Hotline For You!

Even if you lived in a different state than Minnesota, I'm sure you could call the hotline and they would answer your questions, but it's nice to know that the Minnesota Department of Health is proactive in wanting to put residents at ease and offer precautions against the disease.

Where did Ebola come from?  It was discovered in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo near the Ebola River, thus the name.  It is caused by the Ebola virus and is one of a number of hemorrhagic fever diseases.

How is it spread? By direct contact, such as blood or other body fluids (such as: vomit, diarrhea, urine, breast milk, sweat, semen) of an infected person who currently has symptoms of Ebola or who has recently died from Ebola.  That would include objects or surfaces contaminated by body fluids of a person infected with Ebola virus, for example clothing or bedding of an ill person.  However, it's good to know that a person infected with the Ebola virus cannot pass it to others before any symptoms appear.

WDIO.com reports that the line is expected to be staffed with regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8a-4:30p.  This is a reliable source for our Ebola questions.

TOLL-FREE HOTLINE NUMBER:  1.800.657.3903