Ebola Virus Outbreak

Ebola Virus Outbreak:

The current 2014 outbreak of the West Africa Ebola virus is the deadliest in history.  According to  the WHO (World Health Organization) the virus has led to 1711 suspected and confirmed cases and 932 deaths.  The WHO has started ist 2 day emergency committee meeting to discuss the outbreak.   The IHR (International Health Regulation) Emergency committee, a panel of 20, will determine whether to recommend a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern) meaning the outbreak could spread internationally and require a coordinated international response.

The EVD (Ebola Virus Disease) spreads through contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, and it can take up to 3 weeks for symptoms to appear.   The symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and often bleeding.  Health workers are the most likely to encounter infected blood, vomit, or feces, and they are using gowns and gloves. 

I don't know about you, but I find this pretty disturbing.   The fatality rate for those who are infected is up to 90%.   Two American aid workers in Liberia have been infected.  They have been tansported back to the U.S. for treatment  and seem to be doing better.  An experimental drug called ZMapp is being used.  It remains to be seen if they will fully recover. The drug is created with tobacco plants, and heretofor has only been tested on Primates.   Health officials are discouraging Americans from traveling to areas where the outbreak is ongoing.  The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) is telling people to avoid non-essential trips to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. 

Every time we turn on the TV, we hear about the story and more possible cases.  True to form, reality  TV stars express their fears of an outbreak in the U.S.   Just in case you don't have enough to worry about.   The truth is  that infectious disease experts have said that there is no actual danger facing the American people.  Again and again these experts point out that the risk faced by people in the U.S. is incredibly low.   

So, what I think is that we don't have to be so concerned about an outbreak in this country, but it is perfectly fine to be concerned and say a prayer for those in  Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.  

What do you think?