Ebola Could Spread To Hundreds Of Thousands
A new estimate from U.S. scientists strikes me as the most realistic one yet.
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The deadly Ebola outbreak sweeping across three countries in West Africa is likely to last 12 to 18 months more, much longer than anticipated, and could infect hundreds of thousands of people before it is brought under control, say scientists mapping its spread for the federal government.
If true, we should be devoting as many resources to fighting this enemy as to fighting ISIS.[su_csky_ad]
D.B. Hirsch is a political activist, news junkie, and retired ad copy writer and spin doctor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
mea_mark September 13th, 2014 at 11:00 am
At the very least we should make sure they know what foods have anti-viral attributes and help provide those foods. Prevention should be the front line of defense. Garlic and elderberry for everyone.
tiredoftea September 13th, 2014 at 1:13 pm
Let’s feel free to scaremonger here. Ebola is treated simply with good hygiene practices, isolation and plenty of fluids. The mortality rate is very high, but it is survivable. The spread in Africa comes from people suspected of infection being hidden by families or running from health authorities and subsequently infecting those nearby. Ignorance has also exacerbated its spread among those who believe the rumors of the government stealing blood from those it claims have it. Ignorance, once again, is the enemy of treatment.
Stuart Shapiro September 13th, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Yes but I don’t see either the institutions in the developing world or the support in the developed world to implement those simple practices, especially now that Ebola has spread so widely. If scaremongering corrects the problem, then we should scaremonger away.
tiredoftea September 13th, 2014 at 1:55 pm
It takes a little time to combat ignorance, but the resources will be found and the scourge ended. In the meanwhile, we already have our ignorant friends on the right using this panic for their own cynical purposes and that’s my concern with the headline here.
Stuart Shapiro September 13th, 2014 at 1:56 pm
Sadly I think it is a realistic estimate. I guess I am just more pessimistic than you. I hope you are right!
tiredoftea September 13th, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Gee, I hardly ever find people more pessimistic than me!
fancypants September 13th, 2014 at 11:57 pm
obviously Atlanta Georgia has the cure since both victims walked out of the hospital they were transported to. Cant say this vaccine and or treatment is ready to produce in mass quantities ? but don’t hold this RED state city responsible to help save Africa. That most likely will be asking for the pie in the sky.
rg9rts September 14th, 2014 at 5:48 am
You reap what you sow
Obewon September 13th, 2014 at 3:35 pm
The United Nations, World Health Organisation (WHO) is treating the crisis and is now aided by a $50 M grant from the Gates foundation with funding directed to (WHO), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other international organisations involved in fighting transmission of the virus. The money will be used to purchase supplies and to develop vaccines, therapies and better diagnostic tools. http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/10/gates-charity-60m-donation-ebola-fight-west-africa
CDC Ebola human vaccine trials were fast-tracked here in the USA beginning last week. Britain begins a trial experimental vaccine on the first human volunteer next week. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-13/british-trial-of-experimental-ebola-vaccine-to-start-next-week/5741440