There's a reason politicians are mentioning Ebola on the campaign trail: Many Americans are reasonably concerned about the disease.
Nearly half — 48 percent — said the Ebola virus can be transmitted even before an infected person is showing symptoms. This is false, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Just 36 percent said (correctly) that Ebola can be transmitted only by a person who has been infected and is symptomatic.
In addition, 25 percent of Americans wrongly think that Ebola can be transmitted through the air, and 37 percent think it can be transmitted by shaking hands with someone who isn't symptomatic. Both of those are wrong, per the CDC.
Could some of these folks be aware of the science and the CDC's assurances and just not believe them? Sure. There are certainly some doubters out there, even in the scientific community, who think the CDC's blanket assurances might be premature.
But even if those doubters are correct that you can't quite rule out transmission from a person who isn't showing symptoms, the lack of a negative doesn't necessarily prove a positive. In other words, there is still no data to support the belief of 48 percent of Americans, even if you think what they believe can't be completely ruled out.
And, yes, there is an education gap. Less-educated Americans do tend to believe that the disease is more easily transmissible than more-educated Americans.
But before you educated types get all high and mighty on us, consider this: Even among those with college and advanced degrees, only about half — 48 percent — know that you cannot contract Ebola from someone who is not symptomatic.
In other words, there's plenty of misinformation all around.
Updated at 2:05 p.m.