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Ebola - what is it, and could it become a global pandemic similar to the likes of Covid?
What is Ebola and why is this outbreak dangerous?
- It’s a very severe viral illness that causes fever, vomiting, bleeding, and organ failure.
- Up to 50% of patients die.
- It’s spread by contact with body fluids such as blood or saliva.
- This is a rare sub-type with no specific vaccine or treatment, unlike previous outbreaks of the more common Zaire strain.
Why is Ebola a problem in Africa?
- Most outbreaks are in Central Africa as the virus comes from animals such as fruit bats found in tropical forests.
- Many of affected areas have poor healthcare, shortages of hospitals, health workers, and poor protective equipment.
- Political instability and conflict complicate dealing with outbreak.
- Community mistrust and traditional burial practices can spread Ebola, as bodies are still infectious.
Could Ebola become a global pandemic like Covid? Should we be concerned?
- It’s highly unlikely as Ebola is much less efficient at spreading.
- There are three key reasons for this:
- Ebola spreads by direct contact with body fluids, Covid spread though air and coughing – therefore it’s more infectious.
- Covid can spread with no symptoms. Ebola can only spread when symptoms become apparent.
- People become very sick very quickly and do not move around, which limits spread.
- Basically, a global pandemic occurs when people move around/travel and spread the virus, and Ebola’s severe symptoms limit this spread.
- A vaccine for this strain is probably about six months away.
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