From PHD in Epidemiolgy

America?s Ebola response is ?madness?

 

Not according to his biography.

Although it was written in the early 90's, read "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston if you haven't already. I was a biology student interested in virology in the early 90's (AIDS epidemic was in full force). The book is scary as hell, but does a very good job of explaining Ebola, its epidemiology and how outbreaks work. It has been a long time since I've read the book but from what I recall, Ebola isn't really a good virus (for lack of a better term). A good virus would be one like influenza that is easy to pass on and doesn't have the high mortality rate of Ebola. Ebola is more difficult to pass from person to person (especially in first world countries) and it has a tendency to kill it's host (thus making it more difficult to pass to the next host). Having a masters degree in microbiology, I have no concerns with these two patients being treated at Emory. In fact, them being here and in such close contact with the CDC may very well help advance our knowledge of this virus and providing treatment for everyone.

I wasn't aware that there are two Ebola patients in America now:

 

 

2nd American infected with Ebola to arrive in Atlanta - CNN.com

It's not like these affected people have been brought back and are currently doing out patient therapy at the local health clinic. They have been quarantined and locked down and will continue to be isolated until they are cured.

In what capacity were the infected people there in? i.e. were they there for government aid work or a private organization?

I think they were Medical Missionaries with Operation Christmas Child (OCC).

I can see an argument being made for not bringing the back over here. This isn't U.S. soldiers or government workers being deployed there for foreign aid.

So this is why The Walking Dead is set in Georgia...

Although it was written in the early 90's, read "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston if you haven't already. I was a biology student interested in virology in the early 90's (AIDS epidemic was in full force). The book is scary as hell, but does a very good job of explaining Ebola, its epidemiology and how outbreaks work. It has been a long time since I've read the book but from what I recall, Ebola isn't really a good virus (for lack of a better term). A good virus would be one like influenza that is easy to pass on and doesn't have the high mortality rate of Ebola. Ebola is more difficult to pass from person to person (especially in first world countries) and it has a tendency to kill it's host (thus making it more difficult to pass to the next host). Having a masters degree in microbiology, I have no concerns with these two patients being treated at Emory. In fact, them being here and in such close contact with the CDC may very well help advance our knowledge of this virus and providing treatment for everyone.

 

 

Careful using that education and logic here. Last I checked, I saw something on my Facebook newsfeed that said you are completely wrong.

My opinion...not that anyone asked...but if I were the decision maker, my first instinct would be to NOT bring those that are infected back to this country. Send the best medical help/equipment to a safe zone and treat them there, which I think can be done just as effectively. I would have to be shown 100% proof positive that IF those patients were brought back inside this country, it could be done safely without having to worry about anyone else become affected and that precautions and safe practices can and would ensure everyone's safety. This is NOT something to be trifled with and a quick-snap decision be made to have them brought back without concrete assurances.

Yes. Check the years prior to 1776.

Really? I wasn't aware of any immigration laws in this country prior to 1776.

I'm not really alarmed,yet.... But I wonder how three medical professionals caught the disease so easily if it's so hard to get..

Really? I wasn't aware of any immigration laws in this country prior to 1776.

 

You are right, of course. The Native Americans gladly gave up their land and were happy to get the smallpox infected blankets as a result.

I'm not really alarmed,yet.... But I wonder how three medical professionals caught the disease so easily if it's so hard to get..

 

I would say working on the front lines in primitive conditions probably found themselves exposed to the fluids of someone infected by the disease. Just my hypothesis.

It's not like these affected people have been brought back and are currently doing out patient therapy at the local health clinic. They have been quarantined and locked down and will continue to be isolated until they are cured.

 

Didnt think it was curable is it?