Ebola Outbreak

Ebola, also know as Ebola hemorrhagic virus, has been a growing problem in many countries in West Africa. This year is the largest outbreak for the disease. Because of it’s deadly capability, the outbreak has been covering news updates. The main infected countries include Liberia, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. Ebola was spread through these countries through infected people who were experiencing active symptoms. People who do survive Ebola develop antibodies, but it is less common for an infected person to live because this disease is very deadly. Survival all depends on the persons immune response (Vyas).

On September 30, 2014 the first case of Ebola was diagnosed in the United States. The infected person had traveled from West Africa to Dallas, Texas. Luckily the person was not experiencing symptoms on the flight, but started to have the complications a few days after arriving in Texas. The person had sought out medical attention when symptoms began to occur and the patient was tested for Ebola. When tests came back positive, anyone coming in contact with patient was put under monitoring for 21 days looking for symptoms (Ebola CDC).

With Ebola in the United States precautions have been made and there is only a slight chance of the disease spreading because infected patients are isolated, but it puts U.S. citizens on edge. Concern for transmission is raised, but I believe that the isolation of infected persons in the U.S. will prevent spreading. I think if precautions are taken and possible infected people are monitored, the U.S. should be fine. What concerns me the most is West Africa’s well being. The U.S. is sending troops over to help build hospitals and labs, but not to help find a treatment (USA Today).That part bothers me the most. A treatment would be more helpful then troops in my opinion.

“Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 Oct. 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2014.

Vyas, Jatin M. “Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” <i>U.S National Library of Medicine</i>. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Web. 6 Oct. 2014.

V, Tom, and En Brook. “More Troops Being Sent to Battle Ebola.” USA Today. Gannett, 3 Oct. 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2014.