Ebola, the most deadly virus on the planet (no cure), outbreak in West Africa

[Theowl32]

I would not want either, but more is known about rabies than Ebola:

And what is known includes the fact that if you are sick with rabies you are going to die, but with Ebola you have a chance.

You'd rather be sick with rabies, which makes zero sense.

There is a rabies vaccine, and it is not highly contagious. Ebola has no vaccine, there is not a cure and it is contagious.

 

[saturnsrim]

There is a vaccine for rabies, if given soon enough after infection, greatly increases the chances for survival.

Yup, but if you are in a hospital because you are sick from rabies you are done. Almost 100% fatal. Tens of thousands of people die from rabies every year.

Which would you rather be diagnosed with? Rabies or Ebola?

I'd take my chances with Ebola any day.

You would be a very stupid individual if you did not either get a rabies shot or have an unknown animal quarantined if you were bitten and had no clue whether or not the animal was infected with rabies. Preventive measures are far greater with rabies infection than they are with Ebola.

 

[SteadyMercury]

You would be a very stupid individual if you did not either get a rabies shot or have an unknown animal quarantined if you were bitten and had no clue whether or not the animal was infected with rabies. Preventive measures are far greater with rabies infection than they are with Ebola.

... and yet tens of thousands of people die of rabies every year. How many from ebola again?

 

[SteadyMercury]

There is a rabies vaccine, and it is not highly contagious.

Every ebola outbreak has petered out, even when it has reached large population centers. It isn't highly contagious either.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/ebola-epidemic-unlikely-to-spread-beyond-africa-1.2695879

Jagatic says Ebola "is not a very contagious disease and the reason it's being spread in [West Africa] is because of cultural and behavioural practices."

As he explains, the body is most infectious at the time of death, "which is when they're cleaning the body for the funeral and then people at the funeral touch the body, and then, while grieving, they'll touch their faces, they'll touch their mouths and noses” — the mucous membranes of the body from where the virus is transmitted.

 

[CaféAuLait]

This is getting worse, firstly, doctors treating the patients are coming down with the virus:

Fort Worth doctor in Africa tests positive for Ebola virus | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth


Secondly,

Nearly 700 people have died, a hell of a lot more are infected.

And third, the worst,

It has now become it has been discovered a man who flew by airplane on an international flight had just traveled to Lagos, Africa's largest city with 21 million people. There are also cases in Nigeria. Togo and other countries are on the lookout since one of the sick men had a stopover in Togo.

New Death Shows Ebola Can Spread by Air Travel


Nigeria Death Shows Ebola Can Spread by Air Travel - ABC News

 

[westwall]

In West Africa, Officials Target Ignorance And Fear Over Ebola : Parallels : NPR

There's growing concern in West Africa about the spread of the Ebola virus that has killed hundreds of people. Health ministers have formed a regional response, but fear and a lack of knowledge about Ebola threaten their efforts.

Liberian musicians are joining the campaign, taking to song to educate people about the Ebola virus. Their tune is called "Ebola in Town," and warns people to beware of close contact with those who fall ill. The song warns, "Don't touch your friend."

Since the outbreak was first detected in Guinea in February, the U.N.'s World Health Organization has reported more than 500 deaths there as well as neighboring Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Almost 850 cases have been recorded to date.

Ebola is highly contagious through contact with bodily fluids like blood, vomit or saliva. And it's generally fatal. But there is a chance for survival if infected people can get medical attention.

West African government health officials have agreed to a coordinated strategy, aware that a contagious disease will cross borders as people travel for commerce or work. But their effort is hampered by fear and ignorance about the disease.

For example, families sometimes hide relatives with Ebola rather than take them for treatment. They fear the panic and ostracism that the disease may provoke from others nearby.

That's why Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is warning her country that anyone caught hiding suspected Ebola patients will be prosecuted.

"Here, we're talking about a deadly disease — a disease that can kill people. And we're obliged to also protect the lives of people," Sirleaf said. "There's a law that says they must do that. And if they don't, then there are penalties."

Sierra Leone's president delivered a similar warning. Ernest Bai Koroma had been criticized for failing to speak out publicly about the Ebola outbreak in his country. He promised that more would be done to protect those trying to help curb the virus. Medical workers in masks and protective suits often draw suspicion and fear from locals.


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90% death rate when ebola is contracted.

Two strains, Ebola Zaire and Sudan; the strain from Sudan has "only" a 50% mortality rate. Both are nightmares.

There's a third strain, Ebola Reston which so far only affects primates. However it could always mutate and make the jump to humans. The best way to deal with Ebola is quarantine. The virus burns itself out very fast, if they could quarantine the sick it would control it quickly. The other way to deal with it is self quarantine. When an outbreak occurs, you hole up and live off your stockpiled supplies.

 

[AquaAthena]

This is getting worse, firstly, doctors treating the patients are coming down with the virus:

Fort Worth doctor in Africa tests positive for Ebola virus | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth


Secondly,

Nearly 700 people have died, a hell of a lot more are infected.

And third, the worst,

It has now become it has been discovered a man who flew by airplane on an international flight had just traveled to Lagos, Africa's largest city with 21 million people. There are also cases in Nigeria. Togo and other countries are on the lookout since one of the sick men had a stopover in Togo.

New Death Shows Ebola Can Spread by Air Travel


Nigeria Death Shows Ebola Can Spread by Air Travel - ABC News

That good doctor is in grave condition and one nurse has tested positive for Ebola. July 28

American Doctor Who Contracted Ebola in Liberia in Grave Condition - weather.com



An American doctor is in grave condition after contracting the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa. Dr. Kent Brantly, 33, who works with Ebola patients is now fighting for his own survival in an isolation unit on the outskirts of Monrovia, Liberia.

"I'm praying fervently that God will help me survive this disease," Brantly said in an email Monday.

Brantly's prognosis is grave and efforts to evacuate him to Europe for treatment have been thwarted as Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has closed border crossings.

A second American aid worker, Nancy Writebol, tested positive for the Ebola virus at the same hospital, a relief group official said Sunday. Brantly also asked that prayers be extended for Writebol, who worked as the personnel coordinator for Serving in Mission, or SIM, in Monrovia, CNN reports. She is reportedly in stable and serious condition.

"She is showing full symptoms of the disease," a spokesperson said. Both Americans have since been isolated and are under intensive treatment.