Ebola Virus Death Toll in West Africa Exceeds 9,000

Ebola Virus Death Toll in West Africa Exceeds 9,000

            Ebola, also known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, is a very rare and deadly disease that has become the largest epidemic in 2014.  The disease is spread through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, and tissues of an individual infected with the Ebola virus.  Ebola is not an airborne disease as many people tend to believe.  The outbreak in West Africa has reached new heights.  Deaths caused by the disease have risen by 126 and the number of cases rose by 241 since January 16, 2015 in the countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone alone.  The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the death toll has reached more than 9,000 and as many as 21,614 people are infected with the Ebola virus.  Ebola is a serious illness with a fatality rate of up to 90 percent.  Symptoms of Ebola include fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, and flu-like symptoms.  Those who are infected may also experience vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver functioning, as well as internal and external bleeding.  There have been a few cases of Ebola in the countries of Great Britain, Canada, and the United States; however, none of them have exceeded 20.

            Despite Ebola being a rare disease that is difficult to contract, I believe that all countries should be taking extra precaution and watching carefully.  They also should be taking the necessary steps to prevent a major outbreak such as the one plaguing West Africa.  Everyone, whether they are located in a first world or third world country, is at risk of contracting Ebola.  Individuals who have visited and traveled to areas where the virus is prevalent should be tested and quarantined until they are cleared by the CDC.

 Brandon Smith

02/3/2015

8:10 AM

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