For the past several months, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has infected almost 4,000 people and killed nearly 2,000. Starting in Guinea, the current Ebola outbreak has spread to Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia and Senegal, becoming the biggest Ebola epidemic in history.

Ebola is a hemorrhagic fever that causes bleeding from all orifices of the body. Because its mode of transmission is through bodily fluids, health care personnel are especially susceptible. Three American doctors have been infected with Ebola. Two were transported to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Ga., back in late July to undergo treatment using an experimental drug and survived.

Currently, there is no vaccine for Ebola and no FDA approved treatment. However, various pharmaceutical drug companies are working on several drugs and vaccines. The most promising of these drugs is ZMAPP; however, it has not undergone serious clinical trials necessary for broad implementation.

The National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases is currently beginning Phase One of clinical testing for an experimental vaccine. The U.S. Department of Defense is also working with a drug company to develop a vaccine contender. Until these drugs and vaccinations complete their clinical trials and are approved by the FDA, the best option is to contain Ebola patients and treat their symptoms.

While it’s unlikely that the U.S. will experience an Ebola outbreak on the same scale as in West Africa, the CDC has issued warnings to U.S. hospitals telling them to be prepared.