Answer:
1. Ebola first showed evidence of infecting humans in 1976. It was first identified in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
2. A reservoir host is an animal that carries a pathogen (such as a virus, bacterium, or parasite) and can transmit it to humans, but does not get sick from the infection. In the case of Ebola, fruit bats are believed to be the most likely reservoir host.
3. Humans can get the Ebola virus through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected animal (such as a bat or nonhuman primate), or through contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is infected with the virus.
4. Scientists believe that the evolution of zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans) is driven by a variety of factors, including changes in the environment, population growth, and human behavior.
5. Ebola is a viral disease that is transmitted through close contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person or animal. It is often severe and can be fatal. Other potential zoonotic diseases include SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), bird flu, and MERSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
6. It is difficult to completely stop the development of zoonotic diseases or contain their spread. However, there are steps that humans can take to reduce the risk of infection and limit the spread of these diseases. These steps include practicing good hygiene, avoiding contact with sick animals or their body fluids, and getting vaccinated against diseases that have a vaccine. In addition, prompt identification and isolation of infected individuals, and effective contact tracing and quarantine of close contacts can help to control the spread of these diseases.