Understanding Ebola: 319th Medical Group officer provides information on virus Published Oct. 22, 2014 By Maj. Ross Free 319th Medical Operations Squadron Aerospace Medicine Flight commander GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Recently there has been a large amount of news coverage on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and the ongoing epidemic in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The current Ebola epidemic in West Africa is the largest in history. While there have been 3 cases in Texas, the risk of Ebola spreading in the United States is very low. The disease is only spread to people when they have direct contact with blood or body fluids of infected people with symptoms. Ebola is not spread through the air, food or water. Even though coughing and sneezing are not common symptoms of Ebola, if a symptomatic patient with Ebola coughs or sneezes on someone, and saliva or mucus come into contact with that person's eyes, nose or mouth, these fluids could transmit the disease. People who are most at risk for becoming infected with Ebola are healthcare workers or family members providing hands-on care for people who are sick from the disease. Those who are infected with Ebola are not contagious to other people until they start to have symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to help control the ongoing epidemic in West Africa and to prevent Ebola from spreading in the United States. The United States military is also providing support, but military personnel are not expected to perform work that would put them at high risk for becoming infected. People in the United States can protect themselves from Ebola by avoiding non-essential travel to affected countries in West Africa. For all Department of Defense beneficiaries traveling outside of the United States for business or leisure, the Grand Forks Air Force Base Public Health Office will provide advice on how to stay healthy while you are traveling, including recommended immunizations and health protection measures based on the country you are traveling to. Appointments can be made by calling 701-747-5511. For additional information on EVD, please visit the sites below: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/index.html http://www.africom.mil/operation-united-assistance/preventing-and-understanding-ebola Questions can also be directed to the Grand Forks AFB Public Health Office at 701-747-5511.