Airborne mutation is one of the most dangerous transmission modes known among diseases. In case Ebola virus goes into this mutation, how deadly can it be?

Ebola Virus Could Go Airborne

Ebola virus disease in West Africa is feared to lead airborne mutation according to the United States. Telegraph reported that UN fears that the Ebola outbreak to go worse if the virus continues to spread and infect new hosts that can lead to mutation.

"The longer it moves around in human hosts in the virulent melting pot that is West Africa, the more chances increase that it could mutate. It is a nightmare scenario and unlikely, but it can't be ruled out," Anthony Banbury, Special Representative of the Secretary General told Telegraph.

Ebola virus is not airborne based on the current information from World Health Organisation or WHO. It can be transmitted to humans through close contact of the mucous membranes to blood secretions, organs or any other bodily fluids of infected animals, fruits bats or porcupines.

It goes the same with human-to-human transmission via direct contact through broken skin or mucous membrane with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people and surfaces as well such as bedding or clothing contaminated with these fluids.

Ebola Virus As Airborne: How Deadly Can It Be?

If Ebola virus goes into airborne, it can be transmitted through air via aerosols of dust or liquids. Infected people sneezing, coughing, laughing, spitting or breathing can expel the virus through the air which makes anyone nearby susceptible to infection.

In addition to expelling pathogen from the lungs, airborne pathogens can also be carried by environment factors such as strong winds and storms. Surviving viral particles thrown off by strong winds and storms can cause another outbreak in a different location. How Stuff Works noted some factors needed to be determined once a virus goes into airborne:

1. Survival rate of the virus in the air. Will it last for hours or days?

2. Composition of a droplet. How many viral particles can a droplet have?

3. Environment factors. How pollution can increase transmission rate?

4. Survival rate on the ground from the air. How long will it stay on objects such as toys or surfaces?

5. Survival and distance ratio. How much area can it cover and how many people will possibly get it?

People with certain health issues such as asthma are more vulnerable to airborne diseases due to compromised immune system. If Ebola virus becomes airborne, even allergies would be considered as a symptom.