INTERESTING
THE EBOLA VIRUS
REPORTER: Alyssa Varas
DON’T BE AFRAID
Many nations are frightened by the threatening Ebola virus.
Beginning in Africa, it is believed that the virus’ original hosts
was a species of tropical bats. A human was eventually infected
by a bat and spread it on to his or her community, and thus the
spreading began. Ebola can be spread by contact or exchange
in bodily fluids. It begins with a fever that can quickly escalate
into internal bleeding, weakness, and aches and can eventually
result in death. Two Americans who contracted the disease
in Africa were brought to the hospital of Emory University in
Atlanta, Georgia in early August to be examined and treated for
the virus. The doctors found a treatment. Recently, a man in the
United States was diagnosed with the Ebola virus after arriving
from Liberia, and passed away ten days after being diagnosed
and treated in Dallas. A terrifying thought of a rising epidemic is
crossing the minds of millions and creating an international crisis.
The Ebola virus came to the United States for the first time
in early August when two Americans, Dr. Kant Brantly and Nancy
Writebol, returned from West Africa where they were infected
when helping with the treatment of the virus. They were taken to
the hospital of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where they
were held in solitary. They were cured and let out a few weeks
later. Ebola has no vaccine, the patients are usually treated by
stabilizing them in solitary confinement to give there immune
system time to fight the virus off. The two Americans were cured
after taking an experimental drug called Zmapp, but it is not
certain whether or not it actually helped them. Dr. Brantly and
Writebol are said to not be contagious and now immune to the
Ebola virus all together.
With this news, many people were relieved from the
thought of a cure being found. But about a month later, an
American was diagnosed with Ebola. Thomas Eric Duncan was
diagnosed with Ebola on September 29. Duncan did not show
symptoms of the virus until four days after he came to America
from Liberia. Duncan denied that he cared for a sick person when
he was in Africa, though there is proof that he lied. The New York
Times reports, quoting his family and friends, that Duncan helped
carry Marthalene Williams, an infected and pregnant 19-year-old
Liberian, into a taxi on its way to the hospital. She was later turned
away because there was no room. It is said that he lied in order to
get on a plane to America. Duncan stated that he was here to visit
family, though his current girlfriend stated that he was here to get
married. With all of these rumors, authorities believe that Duncan
How to protect yourself
Wash your hands frequently. As with other infectious
diseases, one of the most important preventive measures is
frequent hand-washing. Use soap and water, or use alcoholbased hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol when
soap and water aren’t available.
only came here because there is a low chance of being helped
in Africa. The Liberian authorities say that they would prosecute
Duncan after his return to Liberia. Many doctors state that there
is a very low chance that anyone on the plane to America caught
the virus because he was not experiencing any symptoms yet.
When he arrived in the United States, he went to Dallas Hospital
with complains of abdominal pain and a low fever. The doctors
sent him home with antibiotics. He came back three days later
and was diagnosed with the Ebola virus. He was then quarantined
in Dallas Hospital. Duncan passed away on October 8, only ten
days after being diagnosed with the virus.
Officials say he will be cremated, saying the process will
kill any virus in the deceased body so that his loved ones could
have his remains. Duncan’s closest relatives were told to stay in
their apartment, where Duncan was staying, until October 19th
so authorities could see if they have contracted the disease by
then. But since that apartment was not well-kept and also needed
to be cleaned, they have been relocated to a private 4-bedroom
apartment in Dallas. All people who Duncan had contact with
within those four days of having a low fever are currently being
monitored for the virus, some even kept in isolation. One man
who did not even touch Duncan, but was only in his apartment
where Duncan fell ill. This man, Dallas County Sheriff Deputy
Michael Monnig, was rushed to the Dallas hospital after showing
symptoms of the Ebola virus.
As the United States panics in the thought of Ebola
becoming an airborne disease, President Barack Obama has
set up a plan to mitigate the Ebola outbreak. In the airports of
West Africa, everyone leaving the region is checked for a fever.
If they’re healthy, they’re allowed to leave. Many people believe
this tactic will not help since people who are infected do not
show symptoms until a few days after they contract the disease.
Another part of Obama’s plan, which has already been put into
action, is the sending of portable hospitals, doctors, and medical
supplies to Liberia.