We've done a great job at dealing with and limiting infections such as MERS and others as of recent years.
We had eradicated Polio, Small Pox, Measles, BSE, Malaria and others in this country and yet we still have very limited cases each year. This has become more prevalent due to fear mongering. You've got MSM, dipping their feet into things that have zero sense of. Next thing you know, every one and their cousin refuses to vaccinate their child for "XX" disease due to the fear of that child contracting Autism. When studies have proven this is not what is causing autism...yet they have still modified vaccines to single dose vials instead of multi dose vials that people were aspirating fluid out of and possibly contaminating with portions of the rubber stopper on said vial into patient. You see, even when there are potential errors or mistakes...we have always done a fantastic job at addressing problems.
Measles went from basically Zero in 2000, to 37 in 2004, to now over 500 this year. There was a small outbreak here in Arizona that they actually traced back to ONE individual who was admitted to a hospital and in turn infected two nurses (who refused to receive vaccines) who then spread to their family as well as at the grocery store etc. etc. etc.
The point is, We have the technology, will power, sanitation, and ability to combat an endemic of Ebola in the States...or any western world really.
I think that the extremely dense and large cities may suffer more cases, and possible deaths....But this is not something that is going to manifest into Contagion. People simply get too sick, too quickly once symptoms onset to really go out and infect hundreds. Not to mention that it is Droplet born and not simple Airborne.
I find this the most frustrating tidbit of this thread. People assume bodily fluid must be made by physical contact, while other suggest it is airborne because it has become apparent some have been infected without Direct fluid to fluid contact...
It is DROPLET (such as some flus, RSV, meningitis, Strep A) This means that yes, a sneeze/cough whatever can cause someone else to become infected within close proximity without masks/eye protection/ open wounds/ etc. however due to density these particles simply fall out of circulation.
This is different than TB, Measles, Chickenpox, etc. which are all Airborne....Someone with measles can walk into a room, and leave and over 2 hours later someone else can walk into that room and be exposed. Furthermore with droplet precautions a simple mask is sufficient. Whereas an N-95 or similar is needed for airborne precautions.
We have hundreds of people infected with Tuberculosis, Chikungunya disease, and others walking around and thru our borders everyday now...These are much more immediately dangerous to us...yet here we are fantasizing about EBV and it turning into Contagion or the Walking Dead
Anyways, I do think it can be productive to have an open dialogue about these incidents, but without a basic understanding do not jump to conclusions and say that oh now, its going to be in our water supply now thanks to the patients in Atlanta....I think that people should be worried, but not full blown hysteria.
there is a difference in response here. One is educated and potentially justified, while the other does nothing to contribute to the problem at hand. Juram has been a relief in reading their responses in comparison to some others.
In reference to the CDC and Ebola being in the states...You may find it interesting to know that the CDC actually owns rights to its very own strain of EBV and we have since around the end of the cold war time. This is nothing out of the ordinary. The CDC and NIH and various contracted companies have access to some of the deadliest bugs, viruses, and parasites on the planet....but there are very simple yet sometimes elaborate precautions taken in dealing with these.
Some people suggest they do not need access to this....yet they then complain when we don't have a vaccine available for said organism. We have the ability to predict mutations, study vaccinations, and prevent potential bio-terrorism by studying these organisms. This should not be done solely by government entities because we have seen the amount of waste and abuse created by some government programs. and it should not be only in the private sector either due other reasons. Right now we utilize both. And its great for oversight, management, and accountability.
Yes mistakes happen, but we have a great tract record all things considered.
I work in a lab with superbugs everyday...I have yet to drop dead from dealing with them. I say this as an example of how it is possible to prevent ones self from becoming infected due to simple precautions and standards.
Those 2 patients were given doses of the experimental drug IN Africa...They were not given initial doses in the States. They may have received 2nd or 3rd dosages as well as receiving blood transfusions from Ebola survivors (in attempt to transfer possible antibodies developed from said survivor) but it is important to know that the INITIAL dose was given in Africa. When our vaccinations have not yet even made human trials...the FDA will not grant people to become test dummies...even if they are already infected. Since treatment was started elsewhere, it became a slight loophole to continue the testing.
Even so, this does not prove that the vaccination is 100% effective. It may work, or it may be coincidence because ebola victims also suffer from "good" days and "bad" days. It is not immediately evident or possible to determine what is causing the healing sensation. Only once the patients hopefully recover, can scientists then further study their results.
The most important thing, in my opinion...is that while EBV has a death rate UP TO (not just at) 90% living conditions in western africa are some of the most unreal situations one can imagine. As are customs and standards... Here in the states we not only have better sanitary processes, but we also have the ability to detect diseases and treat more quickly. Even with pumping patients full of fluid and electrolytes we can help patients combact disease. We can provide basic care that others cannot and increase chances of survival.
Side note: The CDC and gov't now has the authority to detain/quarantine any person with simple respiratory distress due to possible infection now. YAY!!!! FEMA camps here we come
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