In response to inquiries about the ability of Ebola to be spread in drinking water supplies, the National Rural Water Association is distributing the following resources and information that conclude Ebola cannot spread through the drinking water supply.

• Ebola is not a foodborne, waterborne, or airborne illness (WHO).
• Ebola spreads in human populations through human-to-human transmission, through direct contact with infected bodily fluids including blood, vomit, or feces (WHO).
• Ebola cannot survive in drinking water because Ebola infected cells do not live long inside a liquid that doesn't have the same salt concentration as bodily fluids (NPR)

Resources:

1. World Health Organization (WHO) Website
2. World Health Organization (WHO) Fact Sheet
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website
4. National Public Radio (NPR) Analysis