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In fall 2014, the United States of America faced an unprecedented country-wide Ebola virus outbreak. The virus was initially generated in Nigeria and West Africa, but soon became epidemic and spread across the Pacific to the USA. According to a report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), over 7000 reported cases of Ebola virus and 3500 resulting deaths have been confirmed across the West Africa and USA since December 2013. With mortality rate exceeding 90% and no cure or vaccinations available, Ebola virus has been described by the United Nations as “the world’s deadliest viral disease”. This research paper discusses the recent Ebola outbreak across the United States, how it affected the families and the community at large and what precautionary and reactionary measures were implemented by the US Government to curb the virus threat and to prevent the further loss of lives. Are those measures appropriate and adequate? Or do they leave a lot to be desired?
As the virus spread, it affected the lives of thousands all across the United States. Over a hundred cases of Ebola virus, breakout was reported across Texas. The disease spread through the local community. Hospitals were put on high alert. A state-wide emergency was declared, and several families considered migrating to other states. The first case of Ebola virus was that of a man named Thomas Duncan, who had contracted the virus on his way back to America from another country. As more and more people came in to contact with Duncan, the virus started to spread at an alarming rate. .
With the virus reaching an epidemic level, the medical community across the globe (in particularly, the United States) was left scrambling for answers. Since there is no cure for Ebola virus, the American Medical Association and the U.S. Department for health focused on certain precautionary measures, most of which leave a lot to be desired.
Individual health officials argue that the measures taken by the United States Government were sufficient and addressed the disease outbreak in a timely manner. They point out that the U.S. Government established quarantine areas, isolation facilities for the appropriate and timely diagnosis and treatment of Ebola virus patients and facilitated widespread movement and migration of non-contaminants to other states and safe areas. Health officials also praise the medications and preventive vaccinations introduced by the U.S. Government to stop the virus from spreading throughout the country, as well as, to neighboring countries Canada and Mexico.
However, several medical practitioners, state representatives, government officials and the general public strongly disagree. They argue that the government took a reactive approach, instead of taking precautionary measures. .
Firstly, the Government was in complete denial as to the seriousness of the initial outbreak of Ebola virus in Africa and its possible outbreak in the United States through people travelling to the States. So much so that President Obama dismissed the possibility of the outbreak in the United States and termed the probability of its occurrence as highly unlikely. This led the health authorities, the media and the public at large to ignore the seriousness of the issue at hand. When Ebola virus related fever and other symptoms started to emerge across Texas, particularly among those who had recently met Thomas Duncan, the hospitals and clinics dismissed the possibility of these symptoms demonstrably representing a virus outbreak. Dr. Brian Joondeph from the CDC noted, “the response from medical practitioners and state-run health institutions was poor. They did not acknowledge the gravity of the situation neither were they equipped with the man power or resources to contain the outbreak.” .
Another important aspect was travel restrictions. When the African countries realized the outbreak of Ebola virus in their community, they actually cancelled and restricted all flights in to and out of Africa until the disease was under control and eradicated. The White House, however, did not impose any travel restrictions. Neither did it direct the airport authorities and department of health to install appropriate virus scanning machines and diagnostic facilities at the airport for all outbound travelers. These measures only facilitated the outbreak of the virus.
Works Cited
JH, C., & MA, C. (2013). Emerging targets and novel approaches to Ebola virus prophylaxis and treatment. National Institute of Health (PubMed), 565-83.
Sullivan, N., Yang, Z.-Y., & Nabel, G. J. (2003). Ebola Virus Pathogenesis: Implications for Vaccines and Therapies. Journal of Virology, 9733-9737.
