Posted on 10/21/2014 9:19:40 AM PDT by Oldpuppymax
Ebola virus disease (EVD) was first identified in 1976, in what was then called Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The name comes from the Ebola River, a tributary of the Congo River in central Africa, where the majority of EVD epidemics have occurred. However, recent outbreaks are now in Western Africa, and involve major cities, as well as rural areas. WHO pegs the average EVD case fatality rate at around 50%. Outbreaks in the past have logged case fatality rates of 25 to an astonishing 90 percent.
Recently, symptoms of this dread disease have been well-publicized. Indeed, the virus seems more like the lurid creation of a sci-fi writer than a real-life pathogen. Massive hemorrhaging is caused by its diabolical ebolavirus glycoprotein. Normal coagulation mechanisms are defeated, neutrophils (a type of white blood cell, important in immune function) are short-circuited, and cytokines (responsible for the inflammatory process) are unleashed. The end result is that the sufferer is being killed in multiple ways.
Some authorities add that even if you don’t have blood dripping from your eyes, your leaky blood vessels can be enough to cause shock and then death. WHO advises early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment to improve survival. While there is currently no licensed therapy proven to neutralize the virus, a number of blood, immunological, and pharmaceutical agents are under development. Two potential vaccines are now undergoing evaluation. Notably, the virus can be killed quite easily with chlorinated water.
As of this writing, patient zero in America–Thomas Eric Duncan–has died, and at least two health care workers associated with his case have been diagnosed with Ebola.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been roundly criticized–and rightly so–for their handling of the Ebola matter. However, the politicization and flagrant...
(Excerpt) Read more at coachisright.com ...
Infection control guru, and friend of this column, Lawrence Muscarella, PhD offered several insights during a recent conversation. He questions the whole notion of the CDC “working with” hospitals. In accordance with federal guidelines, the CDC must be called in by the hospital, so the relationship might just be a bit too friendly to be effective.
Given the proven trustworthiness of the federal government and particularly this administration, anyone who isn't concerned about the potential for bio-disaster is a stone cold fool.
“Ebola virus disease (EVD) was first identified in 1976, in what was then called Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo)”
I was just joking a few days ago that, like “U”sama bin Laden, they’re going to have to rename ebola because of all the people calling the messiah obola.
EVD
UNaccountable bureaucrats have know about this since 1976? No wonder our response has been so effective with minimal repercussions. Not even a smidgen of concern. Problem solved. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. Whew, that was close. /sarc
Wow! I’m going straight to hell for laughing at that!
Naw...
Glad you enjoyed it.
“Wow! I’m going straight to hell for laughing at that!”
I have proof to the contrary.
Proverbs 17:22 - A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Psalms 126:2 - Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
I guess it is better to laugh rather than to cry about something!
My husband and I are still cracking up over your post.
Well, only one person died so far in the U.S., and others survived. A lot of people in the U.S. probably aren’t willing to see beyond that, many more will feel at ease once it has gone by without new cases.
Obola says, “Nuts.”
A link to this thread has been posted on the Ebola Surveillance Thread
If we dont laugh at these jokers....it could get real old really quickly.
two deaths equals a pandemic??
Id bet at least one person in the US...died by chocking on bubble gum today
Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.
The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.
So far the false positive rate is 100%.
At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.
*sigh* Such is life, and death...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.