September 30, 2014

Ebola Arrives

This should not come as a surprise to anyone. Indeed, this is unlikely to be the only case like this we see. 

Ebola is a spectacularly nasty disease and causes much alarm. Given the spread in Africa it is certainly cause for concern. However, it is not terribly contagious. This isn't even a remarkable situation as other, similar diseases like Lassa Fever and Marburg have entered the US recently with little fanfare and no apocalypses. 

This situation is not to be taken lightly, but the greatest danger with this particular bug is panic. In the areas of Africa where panic has taken hold the outlook is quite grim . However, despite (and in some ways because of) its horrifying mortality rate, this disease can be brought under control much easier than, say, the flu. Indeed, the outbreaks in Senegal and Nigeria seem to have been brought under control even as the situation deteriorates elsewhere. 

Be aware. Don't be stupid. Above all don't panic.

Also: A sense of humor can help.

Ebola Tan by åœ°ä¸‹å®¤: Gallows humor that threatens to....go viral. 

As terrible as this disease can be if it gets out of control, I'm actually more concerned with a couple of other pathogens that are already becoming well established here. 

UPDATE
On the other hand there is this ray of sunshine:
 A former Food and Drug Administration chief scientist and top infectious disease specialist said that several people were exposed to the Ebola virus by the unidentified patient in Dallas, America’s first case, and it’s likely that many more will be infected. 

There is also this Politico piece, which is very detailed and paints a particularly grim picture of the situation in West Africa. 

Nevertheless, the best advice remains as follows...




...but stay informed

Posted by: The Brickmuppet at 05:10 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 296 words, total size 5 kb.

1
Above all don't panic.
I just want to confirm that you plan on telling us when it is time to panic, right?

Posted by: Siergen at Tue Sep 30 17:39:04 2014 (r3+4f)

2 Yes.
Actually, if you are a Virginia resident and commute through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel between 8 and 10 AM weekdays the you should panic now...and immediately move to the Appalachians....via RT 58. 

Posted by: The Brickmuppet at Tue Sep 30 17:51:47 2014 (DnAJl)

3

Love the image.  Needs a "Welcome to Dallas" sign, though.

Aside:  working as I do at [some central Ohio medical center], we've had a couple of rumors/false reports about ebola.  Amazing how suddenly no-one wants to run meds to the ED when those crop up.

Posted by: Clayton Barnett at Wed Oct 1 10:22:21 2014 (lU4ZJ)

4 Based on the latest reports, perhaps a "Panic Countdown Calendar" would be appropriate...

Posted by: Siergen at Wed Oct 1 17:46:20 2014 (r3+4f)

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