It has killed over 7,000 people and has infected some 16,000 more since November 2014. We make jokes about it, but it’s a serious issue. It has the potential to spread around the globe. It is called the Ebola Virus Disease, or Ebola for short.

Ebola is a huge danger to those living in unsanitary conditions. Infected countries include Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Guinea. It was found in Sudan and the Republic of Congo, near the Ebola River, hence its name. Today’s outbreak contains more cases and deaths since its discovery in 1976. Ebola is transmitted from wild animals, such as fruit bats and chimpanzees to people, in the form of bodily fluids, like blood. It is very contagious, known to being able to transmit even after a patient has recovered. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting and rash.

Ebola has the potential to spread around the world. Three American citizens have been infected with EVD on the mainland, and one has died. “Ebola will come to Hawaii. It will happen, but I now our hospitals are trained and ready,” McKinley health aid Allison Yonamine said. “It’s something we should be concerned about. We have been helping affected countries to reduce the number of cases via offering supplies, education, and so on.” The volunteers who were sent to Africa to help Ebola patients were recently named Time Magazine’s “People of the Year.”

Some argue that the chances of contacting Ebola and dying from it are very low. However, there are other diseases we should be worried about, like the flu and measles.

“I want to let the students know that they’re updated on their vaccinations,” Yonamine said.

“Also you should wash your hands often, and cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.” These are just some of the many ways that you can prevent sick days and to keep your body healthy and running.