The Ebola outbreak that started in Africa and has made its way onto U.S. soil last month is tragic. The words “outbreak” or “epidemic,” elicit certain emotions and hesitancy, concern and even fear top the list. However, it is critical to not panic and to educate yourself as much as possible about the disease, its causes, the manner in which it is contracted, etc.
I’ve spoken with several people in recent weeks about Ebola. While many of them shared their concerns with me, few displayed a knowledge of the actual facts concerning Ebola, America’s response, or even the status of those who were in contact with Thomas Eric Duncan — the Liberian man who died in Dallas last week of Ebola. In an effort to bring better awareness about all aspects, I’ve comprised a short list of facts as of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper’s press time.
About Ebola
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. Ebola can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. There are five identified Ebola virus species, four of which are known to cause disease in humans.”
Symptoms of Ebola include high fevers, weakness and abdominal pain. Ebola also causes internal bleeding.
While health officials had previously stated those infected with Ebola had a 50 percent chance of survival, more recent data state the survival rate is a mere 30 percent.
Ebola in Africa
Initially identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976, Ebola has spread in various countries throughout Africa, most notably, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The most recent outbreak in those four countries started in March and since then, nearly 8,900 people have been diagnosed with Ebola and over 4,400 have died from the disease. The World Health Organization warned that by the end of January 2015, there can be up to 10,000 new Ebola cases per week in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea alone.
Ebola in America
Although Duncan died on American soil, he contracted the disease in Liberia. Recently, two Dallas nurses who cared for Duncan were diagnosed with Ebola. The first nurse is 26-year-old Nina Pham. The second worker has yet to be identified. Officials are monitoring 48 individuals in Texas who may have had contact with Duncan. Their incubation period ends Oct. 19. In addition, 75 Texas health care workers are also being monitored for Ebola.
There are four hospitals in the United States with special biocontainment units specifically designed to treat highly infectious diseases like Ebola. Those institutions are: Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, St. Patrick Hospital in Montana and the National Institute of Health in Maryland.
America’s fight to end Ebola
Despite what many assume, President Barack Obama and members of Congress are not sitting idly by as Ebola ravishes parts of the world. Thus far the American government has committed to a $763 million military-led plan to dispatch 3,000 U.S. troops to the African region in addition to health care and aid workers.
There, they will establish portable hospitals, laboratories and other medical facilities. They will also train first responders and health care workers in West Africa. Mark Zuckerburg, the billionaire founder of Facebook, together with his wife have pledged $25 million toward the CDC’s effort to fight Ebola. While America is actively engaged in the anti-Ebola efforts, President Obama publically criticized other countries for their inactiveness saying, “The world is not doing enough. All of us are going to have to do more.”
Hopefully the aforementioned items will give you a better understanding of the Ebola crisis.
