By Brandon Kim Sports Editor
With the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in Western Africa, global awareness on the virus has reached an all-time high. However with cases emerging in Spain and the United States, mere awareness of the virus has evolved into all out panic.
The outbreak, which began in late 2013, has over 8,000 cases with nearly 4,000 fatalities worldwide. Despite the CDC’s claims that the risk for an outbreak in the United States is extremely unlikely, extensive measures are being taken to prevent the possibility of an outbreak.
In Africa, the cause for an outbreak on such a massive scale was largely due to the lack of knowledge on the virus. Improper care and disregarding precautionary measures are major factors to the spread of the virus.
In the United States, there have been several scares, most notably on airlines, that have prompted local authorities to take action. The scares were mostly due to the virus causing flu-like symptoms, and given the tensions concerning the virus, and the individuals showing flu-like symptoms caused those around them to take action and notify the authorities. All of these cases have resulted with those examined coming up negative for the Ebola virus.
With the death of Thomas Duncan in Dallas and the treatment of Ebola patients in the United States, national panic is at an all-time high. People are beginning to admit themselves into hospitals at soon as they show symptoms, only to find out that they only have the flu or common cold.
Duncan, who contracted the virus after visiting relatives in Liberia, was initially diagnosed with a minor ailment, was released back home with medication. Duncan was readmitted to the hospital after suffering from worse symptoms, and diagnosed with the Ebola Virus several days later.
There has been controversy surrounding the treatment of Duncan. Members of his family believe Duncan’s race and nationality had a role in the treatment he received. The family has since contacted civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson to raise awareness of their belief that discrimination played a role in Duncan’s death.
Duncan passed away on October 8, at 7:51 AM. Ebola can only be transmitted through direct contact with contaminated material, and there is no reason for one to believe that they may have the virus if they have had no contact with the virus in any shape or form. However speculation has grown concerning the virus’s ability to be transmitted through the air after comments by The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy stating that the virus “has the potential to be transmitted via infectious aerosol particles both near and at a distance from infected patients.”
The virus, despite being, as far as evidence shows, only able to be transmitted through bodily fluids and contaminated objects, Ebola is, according to the CDC, relatively easy to isolate, given if that there are more cases on American soil.