The Ebola virus epidemic in Africa is one that has not been effectively contained. It has infected thousands of people, concentrated in West Africa, with more than a 50% mortality rate. The first patient in the United States to be diagnosed with ebola caused some concern across the country about how the virus is being contained.

Dr. Logan Kratt, physician at the Belton Research Hospital, thinks that people should not be as concerned as they are about the ebola virus, as it is not easily spread.

“People with ebola do not show symptoms, or contract a fever, until about 21 days,” said Kratt, “During this time, they are not contagious, which is different from things like the flu, which can be spread even when the person feels fine. Even when that person does begin having symptoms and the fever, they can only transmit the disease to others through their bodily fluids, so saliva, blood, things like that.”

In Dallas, Thomas Eric Duncan became the first ebola patient to be diagnosed in the United States. He had previously traveled to Liberia, and was released from the hospital after his first visit when doctors at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital believed his symptoms were associated with the common fever. He then came into contact with numerous people, including five children, who are still being quarantined and monitored for symptoms. He died Wednesday due to the virus, but doctors still have to be careful about Duncan’s body, as deceased patients can still transmit the disease.

More history was made Monday when the first person to contract ebola outside of Africa occurred in Spain. The patient was a nurse, and had been treating a patient that had gotten ebola in West Africa. She had had limited contact with the patient, and had worn protective gear, which is causing questions as to what went wrong. Officials are still trying to determine what could have happened so that the nurse could have gotten the virus.

The process for testing ebola is actually very lengthy and not effective if it is too early in the progression of the disease.

“Testing for Ebola is just a blood test, but we have to ship it to the CDC for them to test, and then they send the results back to us after testing for Ebola and various other diseases common from West Africa, and we then proceed based on what the results are,” said Kratt, “However, it sometimes take three days after the symptoms arise for detectable levels for testing.”

As a rule, Kratt said that people should not be concerned about the disease, but that they should be educated about its effects and how it is spread.

“People, I think, need to be educated about it more, and then it will be less likely to become a widespread problem,” said Kratt, “You do not want to spread panic, and it is very unlikely right now that anyone here would have the virus or have a chance of contracting it.”

Currently in West Africa, the worst epidemic for Ebola is occurring. While it has spread across the globe, there are more efforts than before to contain it, and it should not be feared, so much as people should be aware of its presence.