A news
article on the charlotte observer talks about a flight delay after a passenger
becomes ill. Ebola, a deadly disease first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous
outbreaks, one in Nzara, Sudan, and the other in Yambuku, Democratic Republic
of Congo (WHO factsheet, 2014). Its reemergence in West Africa is the largest
and most complex outbreak ever since it was first discovered.
This
disease has spread towards other countries via travel and migration. The first
instance of Ebola in Nigeria was brought in by a Liberian traveler (Ibekwe,
2014). This disease causes an acute and fatal illness if untreated (WHO
Factsheet, 2014). The incubation period is 21 days, the period it takes the
disease to fully manifest in humans. Its only mode of transmission is via
bodily fluids.
In this
article, the flight was delayed for about three hours after a passenger began
throwing up in the lavatory during boarding. Although the passenger did not
reach the red flag of an Ebola case and no flight from West Africa was
involved, she was transferred to the hospital.
The
rumor of this began on twitter stating that the lady in question had the Ebola
virus. This behavior could be expected due to the seriousness and deadly nature
of the diseases. A poll in the USA reviewed that over 43% of Americans are very
worried or somewhat worried about the virus becoming a major endemic in the USA
and feared family members might catch the disease (Chapman, 2014). The first
case of Ebola in the USA was recorded in September this year after a man
travelled to Dallas from West Africa.
Scientist are still working on a cure
for the disease, although you may have
heard of the news that some patients have been given new experimental drugs but it is probably immature to think that it
will change the outcome of the current outbreak.
With all
these happening, the main thing is to always maintain a good hygiene when
travelling and whist visiting countries especially in West Africa. Ebola
shouldn’t crash your dreams of exploration.
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