EBOLA Outbreak Thread

[Avalux]

25. Important clarification - it's an epidemic, not a pandemic.

Pandemics are global - everywhere. Unless Ebola mutates so as to allow for airborne transmission (highly unlikely), Ebola burns itself out before a pandemic can occur. So what we see are limited epidemics in the poorest parts of Africa where inadequate medical infrastructure and lack of infection control make it easy for the virus to spread. Ebola can live for several days in a deceased victim and on surfaces. If the people don't know this and don't take precautions, they'll be exposed unknowingly. That's a lot of what's happening now.

The epidemic IS tragic, all we can do is hope that the capable experts get it contained sooner than later, and not waste energy being scared about it.


The World Health Organization (WHO) Fact Sheet on Ebola Virus Disease:

Transmission

Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. In Africa, infection has been documented through the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest.

Ebola then spreads in the community through human-to-human transmission, with infection resulting from direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids. Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness.

Health-care workers have frequently been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed EVD. This has occurred through close contact with patients when infection control precautions are not strictly practiced.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/