Ebola - The Facts Published Oct. 24, 2014 ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- According to the World Health Organization, more than 8,900 people have contracted Ebola since March in the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone, making the current outbreak the most severe on record. More than 4,400 people have died. A person can't get Ebola through the air, water or food, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The virus can only be contracted by touching the blood or body fluids of an infected person or animal, whether they're alive or dead, and by touching contaminated objects such as needles. There are several drugs to combat Ebola being developed, though all have yet to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. When calling the Tricare Nurse Advice Line regarding flu symptoms, here are the additional questions you may be asked as part of new Ebola precautions: 1. During the last 21 days, have you been deployed to or traveled to West Africa? Or during the last 21 days have you been in contact with anyone who has been deployed to or traveled to West Africa? 2. Are you experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms? -- Fever greater than 100.4 or subjective fever and chills. What was your last temperature taken? -- Severe headache; -- Joint or muscle aches; -- Abdominal or stomach pains; -- Vomiting; -- Diarrhea; -- Unexplained bruising or bleeding; -- New skin rash.