Worst Ebola Outbreak is Still Out of Control

The most severe Ebola outbreak in recorded history has been plaguing West Africa since February 2014.

Ebola is a viral disease. Its symptoms include fever, throat and muscle pain, and headaches. This is followed by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and organ failure. At this point, hemorrhaging begins in the mucous membranes, including the gastrointestinal tract, nose, and lungs.

Ebola is spread by direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected humans and animals, including fruit bats and monkeys. Ebola can also be sexually transmitted.

There are no treatments for the virus apart from oral or intravenous re-hydration, thus Ebola has a fatality rate between 50% and 90%.

The outbreak originated in Guinea, and spread to Sierra Leone and Liberia. To date, there have been at least 1048 infections and 632 deaths, translating to a mortality rate of 60%.

Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia have activated their national emergency committees. International travel restrictions have also been placed. Doctors Without Borders  described the situation as “totally out of control”, due in part to insufficient personal protective equipment, widespread unhygienic funeral practices, poor existing health infrastructure, and public belief that the disease is caused by witchcraft and that the the doctors are killing the patients. There are currently 300 Médecins Sans Frontières staff in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

Should we worry about the outbreak spreading to Waterloo? Ebola is typically only found in tropical regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the Reston ebolavirus, which was discovered in 1990 in macaques in a Virginia laboratory.  The potential for a global Ebola epidemic is considered low due to the high fatality rate and short incubation period. Furthermore, Ebola is only transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, thus it has a fairly low transmission rate if proper precautions are taken. Passengers ill with Ebola during previous outbreaks have taken flights to seek medical treatment abroad without infecting other passengers.

Thus, avoid touching any bodily fluids and you’ll be good to go.