Ebola in West Africa
August 9th, 2014Currently, Ebola is striking fear into many people’s lives. Ebola is a virus which causes a type of hemorrhagic (bleeding) fever which we currently have no vaccine and medication to treat. It has a high fatality rate, though there are people who can still survive after contracting Ebola virus. In the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, Ebola is spreading among the densely populated areas. There is also concern that cases of Ebola can be imported via air travel to other countries.
While this may invoke images of several Hollywood movies with images of people being quarantined and mass extinction of people, the reality is that Ebola is a relatively difficult virus to spread in countries with adequate healthcare. Ebola is not spread via respiratory droplets as is the case with influenza or tuberculosis. It is primarily spread via contact with blood or bodily secretions infected with the virus. Also, the virus can only be spread by someone who has symptoms. This means if the person is sick, they will be less likely to be traveling around or getting on planes. The medical facilities, sanitation, and infrastructure of most countries can adequately contain the disease early and effectively prevent the spread.
What can you do to protect yourself from Ebola? Avoid travel to the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. The CDC has also put a travel alert for the country of Nigeria. Get the right information about Ebola. Unfortunately, during outbreaks some people become misinformed about Ebola and cause unnecessary panic. The CDC has put out an excellent list of FAQ’s on Ebola.
What can you do to help? I recommend donating to a charity such as Doctors Without Borders or the American Red Cross. Both of them are actively helping to establish healthcare in impoverished and areas of disaster worldwide. Every penny counts! Donate blood at your local hospital. Ebola victims need blood transfusions as part of their treatment. During the summer, hospitals often have blood shortages because of the drop in donations.
As we are nearing hurricane season, this may also be a good time to make sure you are prepared for emergencies. Look over your supplies and make sure they are current (e.g. food is unspoiled, batteries and flashlights are working). Here are some tips from two previous blogs, “What information do I need to have in case of a medical emergency?” and “Being Prepared for Natural Disasters”.
