Ebola is the most commonly known disease throughout the word right now. The Ebola disease was brought to the attention of scientists in 1976 and from then to 2013 only 1,716 cases have been reported. When you compare that to the 3,069 cases and 1,552 deaths from August 26, 2014 on; this spreading virus and fatal disease is worthy of being called a modern day Black Death. The outbreak is currently found in the areas of West Africa and the Sub Saharan areas of Africa. Some countries in these areas include Liberia, Nigeria, and Guinea, along with many more.
When I first obtained information of an outbreak in Africa early September I had many questions. The first things I thought about was, how are they containing it? Am I safe? Is there a vaccination? And what would it feel like to have such a fatal disease? My questions were answered as I looked into the problem with more intent. So I am here to explain the questions in the information below.
The first thing to know is that there is not a vaccine for the virus. Because of the lack of a vaccine, although efforts are nonstop, the disease continues to spread throughout Northern african countries. The stress level as an American can go down, for there is no evidence or cases of Ebola in America that are not isolated and at little to no risk to the public. There have been some false alarms though because of the symptoms of a fever, lack of appetite and vomiting are so similar to those viruses such as the flue and so many other minor infections not taken as seriously. To see the difference, the blood of an alleged patient has to be observed for the diagnosis to be confirmed. What the scientist sees in this serious virus is a worm like figure microscopic to the eye and the animals that are thought to carry and spread “the worm” by bodily fluid contact or consumption. But to be clear, the virus is NOT airborne.
With these facts constantly being thrown at me on the news, even with the answers so simply answered, for me, it is hard to know that while I am living worry free as a proud American, so many others across the ocean in these countries are living in fear of what is in their future and if their loved ones or they themselves have a future. Overall It saddens me that I cannot help these people but the grim stories and accounts of the doctors and USAID members and volunteers expose the risk for them not only physically but mentally as all of the accounts are non the less depressing. "It's not just the absence of human contact but the fear of it.” This is a quote that is a perfect description of those in the "front lines" helping to isolate and contain the virus and what they feel day after day.
I worry and I feel remorse for the people who deal with this disease first hand and wish them the best of luck. There efforts are greatly appreciated by so many people including me. The scientists and doctors who continuously work to track the disease are allowing the afraid civilians to understand the virus day by day and give them a perspective on what is to come and things they can do to protect themselves. There is in fact a light at the end of the tunnel and I have confidence in that. One of these days we will be enlightened with good news of a vaccine.
When I first obtained information of an outbreak in Africa early September I had many questions. The first things I thought about was, how are they containing it? Am I safe? Is there a vaccination? And what would it feel like to have such a fatal disease? My questions were answered as I looked into the problem with more intent. So I am here to explain the questions in the information below.
The first thing to know is that there is not a vaccine for the virus. Because of the lack of a vaccine, although efforts are nonstop, the disease continues to spread throughout Northern african countries. The stress level as an American can go down, for there is no evidence or cases of Ebola in America that are not isolated and at little to no risk to the public. There have been some false alarms though because of the symptoms of a fever, lack of appetite and vomiting are so similar to those viruses such as the flue and so many other minor infections not taken as seriously. To see the difference, the blood of an alleged patient has to be observed for the diagnosis to be confirmed. What the scientist sees in this serious virus is a worm like figure microscopic to the eye and the animals that are thought to carry and spread “the worm” by bodily fluid contact or consumption. But to be clear, the virus is NOT airborne.
With these facts constantly being thrown at me on the news, even with the answers so simply answered, for me, it is hard to know that while I am living worry free as a proud American, so many others across the ocean in these countries are living in fear of what is in their future and if their loved ones or they themselves have a future. Overall It saddens me that I cannot help these people but the grim stories and accounts of the doctors and USAID members and volunteers expose the risk for them not only physically but mentally as all of the accounts are non the less depressing. "It's not just the absence of human contact but the fear of it.” This is a quote that is a perfect description of those in the "front lines" helping to isolate and contain the virus and what they feel day after day.
I worry and I feel remorse for the people who deal with this disease first hand and wish them the best of luck. There efforts are greatly appreciated by so many people including me. The scientists and doctors who continuously work to track the disease are allowing the afraid civilians to understand the virus day by day and give them a perspective on what is to come and things they can do to protect themselves. There is in fact a light at the end of the tunnel and I have confidence in that. One of these days we will be enlightened with good news of a vaccine.
Sources: "Ebola Outbreak Lockdown." CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014."Ebola Virus Disease." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Sept. 2014. Web. 22 Sept. 2014