How did the bats and monkey get Ebola?

The exact origins of Ebola virus are still under investigation, but it's believed to be zoonotic, meaning it jumps from animals to humans. The most likely reservoir, or natural host, is thought to be fruit bats (Pteropodidae).

Here's what we know:

* Bats as the reservoir: Bats are the suspected natural hosts for Ebola virus, but scientists are still working to understand how the virus persists in them without causing significant illness.

* Transmission to primates: Ebola virus can spread to other animals, including primates. This can happen when primates come into contact with infected bat droppings, urine, or saliva.

* Human infection: Humans typically contract Ebola virus through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or tissues of infected animals (either bats or primates) or by consuming contaminated bushmeat.

* Human-to-human transmission: Once Ebola is in a human, it can spread through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, contaminated materials, or even through airborne droplets during certain procedures like burial.

Important note: While bats are suspected to be the primary source of Ebola, monkeys are not directly responsible for the virus's spread. Monkeys can become infected, but their role is more as potential "intermediaries" between bats and humans. The main concern is the potential for Ebola to spread from bats to humans through contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids.