[ybbiz34]

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-styl...icle-1.1881734

For those unfamiliar with the symptoms and/or seriousness of the virus, here are a few facts:

- 90% fatality rate

- You start out with flu-like symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, fever) and then the symptoms progress to severe diarrhea and internal bleeding.

- Eventually, your internal organs virtually liquify and then seep out of your body (this is called "crashing and bleeding out").

If you want to read a good book about Ebola, check out "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston. It's terrifying, especially in light of what is happening right now (deadliest Ebola outbreak ever).

The WHO is losing control. The CDC needs to step in.

[Lups]

The thing is, that a virus this fast will find its way. Unfortunately H5N1 and the last scares we have had of a pandemic will keep this one from becoming a panic wave, and this time the death rate alone is a reason to be aware.

I remember reading this one interview of a doctor from back home from the seventies, when antibiotics were given to anything, and he asked one of the high ups then, what are the chances of the bugs not getting the best of us even in this, and got silence as an answer. This is one of the occasions where we need to realize just how low in the bigger picture we are.

[Litos]

I was just talking to my wife last night about this (dumb yahoo article conversation my wife and I have lol)

anyways, I said "in Texas, you get flu-like sysmptoms, you're pretty much at work in 2 days - in Africa, you get the flu-like symptoms, you're pretty much dead within 6 or 7 days".....

[UncleWede]

crashing and bleeding out into the shared drinking/washing water (if you are lucky enough to have ANY water) contributes to the spread. Despite it being a concern for some, the various chemicals they inject into our water systems, along with the advanced sewage systems, will help slow the spread in industrial nations.

In no way does that remove the incredible human suffering this is causing. Also, in no way do I see my self in any likeness of Mother T, I won't be heading to sub-Saharan Africa to tend to the sick.

[2011CrazE89]

I still say either a virus, or mother nature is gonna wipe us all out one day.

[Rotorocious]

Saw this video the other day.
Yummy

[PINeely]

I thought it was only a certain strain that had 90% mortality?

[Litos]

Originally Posted by PINeely

I thought it was only a certain strain that had 90% mortality?

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by PINeely

I thought it was only a certain strain that had 90% mortality?

The Zaire strain.

The Zaire strain is what is causing this outbreak.

[PINeely]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

The Zaire strain.

The Zaire strain is what is causing this outbreak.

Ah then I agree, out of hand.

The number of confirmed cases won't account for people who die of it in more rural areas either, or those who don't go for treatment/confirmation due to beliefs or situation. The problem is likely bigger than we know so far.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by PINeely

Ah then I agree, out of hand.

The number of confirmed cases won't account for people who die of it in more rural areas either, or those who don't go for treatment/confirmation due to beliefs or situation. The problem is likely bigger than we know so far.

Very true. One complicating factor is that the local population believes that Ebola is a "myth." Some cities are on the verge of rioting/burning down hospitals because they'd rather utilize home remedies. What a mess.

If this outbreak would've originated in a "Western" city, the consensus is that it would've been contained and halted almost immediately.

[Sedan_Clan]

I think the real scare will occur when one case shows up on U.S. soil. We can be certain that a documented case here means that it has already spread. Time to get one of those face masks that the Chinese wear all of the time.

[jwzimm]

You all should read up on the virus itself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola_virus_disease

Yes it is Wikipedia but it's pretty accurate.

Bottom line is that the virus' mortality rate is what tends to keep it in check. You only become infectious when you start showing symptoms and the only method of transmission is through direct contact with bodily fluids. This is not like Influenza where a carrier can be infectious without outward symptoms. That is what leads to epidemics spreading uncontrolled. You couple this with the reputation that the Ebola virus has and any time it flares up they clamp a very tight lid on it. All you have to do sit and quarantine folks for a couple weeks and those infected will either recover or die off. Self regulating.

What is scary is if this virus should mutate to alter it's transmission vector or reduce it's initial outward symptoms. This could lead to a very deadly problem. Fortunately that does not appear to be the case.

[Year's_End]

I was just reading up on this over on reddit. My fucking CNN app gave me a little push message alert saying "Second American infected with ebola virus" and I damn near had a heart attack.

Here's an interesting post from one of the users:

I currently live in Liberia, and the situation is getting slowly out of control. Rumors have it that JFK Hospital, the country's biggest and best equipped hospital (still a shithole by international standards) is rejecting patients already and due to shutdown operations in the very near future.

Now that a Liberian ministry worker carried the virus to Nigeria, we expect it to just be a matter of days until the borders are closed / international flights cancelled (Air France and Delta already terminated all flights indefinitely). Initially people made fun of Ebola - a common way to deal with dire situations - but they're slowly shutting up.

The biggest threat remains the very low educational level of the population though, who are unaware of the simplest hygiene and reliance on prayer rather than prevention. Foreigners are often regarded with open hostility, made responsible for the crisis even (whenever the white man comes and take our relatives, they die!).

Several NGO's are evacuating already, my own departure is scheduled for August 6, and I just hope there won't be any riots until then.

UPDATE: Quoting from a press statement released this morning by the Liberian Ministry of Health and Safety (MoHS):

• All borders of Liberia will be closed with the exception of major entry points including the Roberts International Airport, James Spriggs Payne Airport, Foya Crossing, Bo Waterside Crossing, Ganta Crossing. At these entry points, preventive and testing centers will be established, and stringent preventive measures to be announced will be scrupulously adhered to

• A new travel policy by the Liberia Airport Authority covering inspection and testing of all outgoing and incoming passengers will be strictly observed

• Restrictions on public gatherings such as solidarity marches, demonstrations, promotional advertisement are to be restricted

• All Government facilities and public places are to install and provide public access for washing of hands and other sensitization services

• Communities that are seriously affected will be quarantined and travels in and out of such communities restricted

[adriang]

Just curious, do any of you work in public or environmental health?

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by adriang

Just curious, do any of you work in public or environmental health?

I'm not a doctor but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

I'm not a doctor but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Outstanding find! I'm thrilled that at least one person understood that reference.

[Demetrius Joel]

I saw Outbreak. We need to address this meow.

[Rotorocious]

[adobeee]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

crashing and bleeding out into the shared drinking/washing water (if you are lucky enough to have ANY water) contributes to the spread. Despite it being a concern for some, the various chemicals they inject into our water systems, along with the advanced sewage systems, will help slow the spread in industrial nations.

In no way does that remove the incredible human suffering this is causing. Also, in no way do I see my self in any likeness of Mother T, I won't be heading to sub-Saharan Africa to tend to the sick.

cabin fever..

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Outstanding find! I'm thrilled that at least one person understood that reference.

Make that two.