The epidemic known as Ebola has continued to spread, as the first patients outside of West Africa are being diagnosed with the deadly disease.
Besides two American missionaries, there has been a Spanish sanitary tech and Ashoka Mukpo, an American journalist. The latter two have been identified, quarantined and begun treatment. This early response rate is hoped to help the survival rate for the epidemic, and to prevent the disease from spreading.
Unlike most contagious diseases, Ebola is not transmitted through the air. The disease is spread through contact with body fluids or contaminated objects from infected people. Though this may make it seem harder to catch, even trace amounts can cause illness. This makes the disease extremely infectious. This explains the haz-mat suits that contamination-control teams use when clearing contaminated areas; if the virus doesn’t come into direct contact, there is no chance of a person becoming infected with Ebola.
Currently, suburban Western New York is under no threat to the spread of the epidemic, concentrated mostly in Western Africa. Despite wild claims, the Ebola virus will not guarantee death, and proper care of a victim ensures up to a 90% survival rate.
Along with the rising awareness of the disease, some pranks have been coming up as well. One notable report, the ‘Ebola zombie’, has already been proven a complete and utter hoax. Although the zombie apocalypse may or may not be nigh, it will most definitely not be caused by Ebola.
by Claire Kim
