EBOLA- How Worried Should You Be?
Kevin Wang
Ebola. You have probably heard that word no matter where you live. Have it be the U.S.A, Europe, Asia, or West Africa, where Ebola is striking hardest.
At the current date of October 17th, 2014, more than 5,000 people have died, says the World Health Organization. It has infected probably around 9,000 people. Now, that might not be so bad, but experts predict that if the government doesn’t start taking more precautions, Ebola will infect about 1.4 million people by the end of January 2015.
But it isn’t like that people haven’t been doing anything. After the first death of an Ebola patient in the U.S, people have started beefing up airport security. Many major U.S airports have been screening people.
1st Death in The USA
After Ebola spreaded in West Africa, We thought it couldn’t get any worse. Now Ebola has arrived in the US. The first patient in the USA, Thomas Eric Duncan caught the disease in Liberia. Then, he got onto a plane to the US. Even with the intense screening to passengers coming out of West Africa, Duncan was able to travel back to the US.
After about a week, Duncan reported to a Dallas hospital when he started feeling sick. He mentioned that he had traveled to Liberia, but it was overlooked and he was sent back to his home. Soon, they invite him back, and realized that he had the deadly disease. His condition went from serious to critical. But right before his death, his condition improved, but unfortunately, he passed away at the age of 42.
Symptoms of Ebola
In the early stages of this horrible virus, it is much like the flu. First, you will get a fever. Then, you will feel fatigue and your muscles and joints will hurt. Your sore throat will make it harder to swallow.
In the later stages, there are many worse symptoms that happen. If you would like to know more about it, search it up yourself.
History of Ebola
Ebola has been around for 38 years. The first outbreak was in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 1976-1979. The other outbreaks were in 1980-1989, 1990-1999, 2000-2009, 2010-2013, and finally, 2014. So far, 2014 is the biggest outbreak ever. It dwarfs all the other outbreaks. For example, there could be millions of Ebola victims eventually.
What People Are Doing to Stop It
Many people are worrying about Ebola spreading through to the U.S.A. And so far, this article is really discouraging. But doctors are actually doing stuff to stop it.
There has been two vaccines ready to test on humans, which has been successful on monkeys.
Also, people have continued ramping up security at five airports. Unfortunately, Dr. Friedman from the World Health Organization claims that the possibility of finding Ebola in an airport screening is very low. Also, Friedman says that airport screenings is just a way to make the country feel safe.
Don’t Worry Too Much
Now, you might be freaking out thinking the world is going to end. But hopefully the world won’t end. Think about it. There were past diseases like the Spanish Flu or The Black Death when people didn’t have as much medical help as now.
The world has too much to lose. Music, sports, school, money, books, wars, and many more things are part of human culture. Ebola can’t just wipe it all out.
Bibliography:
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Junior Scholastic Magazine, October 6
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CNN-Get up to speed on Ebola-10/9/14
