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How can contaminated needles, clothing, and bedding spread Ebola?

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Ebolavirus and Ebola virus disease — Ebola Numerous filamentous ebolavirus particles (blue) budding from a chronically-infected VERO E6 cell (yellow-green) in this digitally colorized scanning electron micrograph produced by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or tissues of infected individuals or animals. Contaminated objects—such as needles, clothing, and bedding—act as vehicles for the virus because they become soiled with these infectious fluids, including saliva, vomit, feces, urine, sweat, or blood.12

When a person touches these contaminated surfaces or objects, the virus can be transferred to them, facilitating the spread of the disease. This risk is particularly high in environments with unsanitary conditions or a lack of adequate medical supplies, where proper decontamination of reusable equipment may not occur. To prevent transmission, it is essential to employ barrier nursing and ensure the thorough decontamination of any items that have come into contact with an infected person.23