Ebola Virus Discussion

[Nulln 754]

Calm down, calm down, I DO understand the severity of this. I am trying to say that it is the person who got infected's fault, not the people in charge, though they should tighten security up more after this

 

Now not having enough trained person's IS the fault of the people in charge, that I will not deny. But what I meant was that information can spread quickly now, allowing people to better understand how to handle this. What WON'T help is this panic everyone seems set on sharing, panicking won't stop the virus hell it might help it SPREAD!

They're both at fault, though the infected guy probably thought he'd get better care in america, so i can kind of understand.  But the people in charge have a job to contain this, and they failed.

 

It's not really a fault of our hospitals to not have specialists for this, since it's been a disease that is from a different country and has been pretty dead for a long time.  There wasn't really a reason for anyone to be well-researched in it before now, so there probably wasn't anyone to hire.  I'm not even sure how much info there is out there on this disease at all.  Panic won't spread a disease that most people don't have, but I do think it's good to be cautious and demand they do more to contain it.  

[Snow Frostflame 3,567]

yeah I think were all screwed unless we come up with a cure this is whats most likely going to happen U.S. becomes completely infected to where the Country is evacuated most Americans are probably going to go to England and someone is going to be infected then it will spread through out the United Kingdom and then the rest of Europe and soon the extinction of humanity

 

but that's my opinion, I don't want to see this future but unless we come up with a cure this is probably going to happen

 

*remembering it cannot be spread Airborne*

 

oh never mind were completely fine

Edited October 18, 2014 by Snowflake Frostflame

[KokuraiNoSenshi 3,463]

They're both at fault, though the infected guy probably thought he'd get better care in america, so i can kind of understand.  But the people in charge have a job to contain this, and they failed.

 

It's not really a fault of our hospitals to not have specialists for this, since it's been a disease that is from a different country and has been pretty dead for a long time.  There wasn't really a reason for anyone to be well-researched in it before now, so there probably wasn't anyone to hire.  I'm not even sure how much info there is out there on this disease at all.  Panic won't spread a disease that most people don't have, but I do think it's good to be cautious and demand they do more to contain it.  

I dunno, there is only so much they can do, especially if that person never went to go in for help. As for getting care in America I imagine that he could have gone to the embassy (or better yet called), explained what happened, and gotten care THAT way.

 

Ugh first you want to complain about the people in charge, then you don't want to complain about the people in charge... Shouldn't people be taught in this regardless? Even just a quick test on it in medical school or something? As for panicking, I meant that by panicking people will have less ideas of how to keep themselves safe as well as possibly spread the disease further, thereby creating more problems. That's the only way something like a virus, whether it be the common cold, zombies, or Ebola, really make an impact

[Nulln 754]

I dunno, there is only so much they can do, especially if that person never went to go in for help. As for getting care in America I imagine that he could have gone to the embassy (or better yet called), explained what happened, and gotten care THAT way.

 

Ugh first you want to complain about the people in charge, then you don't want to complain about the people in charge... Shouldn't people be taught in this regardless? Even just a quick test on it in medical school or something? As for panicking, I meant that by panicking people will have less ideas of how to keep themselves safe as well as possibly spread the disease further, thereby creating more problems. That's the only way something like a virus, whether it be the common cold, zombies, or Ebola, really make an impact

They could quarantine people for the required number of days before allowing them to board a plane.  

And I doubt they'd let some random person with a deadly disease into another country just because they asked.  But he claims he didn't know he had it even though he was taking care of someone who died from it.

 

I am complaining about the people in charge.  the american hospitals are not in charge of containing an african epidemic.  the WHO is, though.

 

The reason they're not teaching that in medical school and testing people on it is because there are tons and tons of different diseases and conditions out there.  A lot are much more common than this, and they have priority.  A specialist can choose to study a certain subject, but it'd be ridiculous to require them to know everything, since there's no possible way to retain that much information.  And if it was a quick test, they'd not know enough about it to be prepared anyways.  

[KokuraiNoSenshi 3,463]

They could quarantine people for the required number of days before allowing them to board a plane.  

And I doubt they'd let some random person with a deadly disease into another country just because they asked.  But he claims he didn't know he had it even though he was taking care of someone who died from it.

 

I am complaining about the people in charge.  the american hospitals are not in charge of containing an african epidemic.  the WHO is, though.

 

The reason they're not teaching that in medical school and testing people on it is because there are tons and tons of different diseases and conditions out there.  A lot are much more common than this, and they have priority.  A specialist can choose to study a certain subject, but it'd be ridiculous to require them to know everything, since there's no possible way to retain that much information.  And if it was a quick test, they'd not know enough about it to be prepared anyways.  

I just said that the Embassy could help him out, not send him to America

 

Ugh, too many people in charge... Need to focus all this, how else are we going to get things done?

 

Well I mean it doesn't have to be a primary subject, but I don't know, I would imagine a disease people fear so much would be on SOMEONE'S "Disease; 101" paper! I don't need everyone to be a specialist but just some general procedures would be nice, like how to quarantine, signs and symptoms, etc

Guys if it hits any small islands around the UK I will probably not be here

You're going to be fine blue, just calm down and breathe

[Nulln 754]

I just said that the Embassy could help him out, not send him to America

 

Ugh, too many people in charge... Need to focus all this, how else are we going to get things done?

 

Well I mean it doesn't have to be a primary subject, but I don't know, I would imagine a disease people fear so much would be on SOMEONE'S "Disease; 101" paper! I don't need everyone to be a specialist but just some general procedures would be nice, like how to quarantine, signs and symptoms, etc

The scariness of something does not make it important.  lol, how common something is usually does.  I'm sure most hospitals wouldn't know much about valley fever, since it's a fungal infection specific to my area, even though it kills people just by breathing it in.

Ebola wasn't much of a problem before this, so it wouldn't make sense to make it a required subject.  There's soooo many other things that people could learn the signs/symptoms etc for. 

[KokuraiNoSenshi 3,463]

The scariness of something does not make it important.  lol, how common something is usually does.  I'm sure most hospitals wouldn't know much about valley fever, since it's a fungal infection specific to my area, even though it kills people just by breathing it in.

Ebola wasn't much of a problem before this, so it wouldn't make sense to make it a required subject.  There's soooo many other things that people could learn the signs/symptoms etc for. 

Well whose fault is that? It sure as heck isn't the individual's, that would be the fault of the hospitals for their methods. Yes the methods ARE understandable but, really, where do we draw the lines in the sand?

[Nulln 754]

Well whose fault is that? It sure as heck isn't the individual's, that would be the fault of the hospitals for their methods. Yes the methods ARE understandable but, really, where do we draw the lines in the sand?

who's fault for what?  what individual?  what's the hospital at fault for?  did you quote the right comment?  XD

[KokuraiNoSenshi 3,463]

who's fault for what?  what individual?  what's the hospital at fault for?  did you quote the right comment?  XD

Yes, I was talking about whose fault it was for not knowing the proper measures for Ebola quarantine, etc

[Nulln 754]

Yes, I was talking about whose fault it was for not knowing the proper measures for Ebola quarantine, etc

Oh.  It's no one's fault for lack of knowledge.  It's not something that should have ever been here, so no one should have had to know it.  The only one's at fault are the people who let it get here in the first place.  That'd be like blaming earth for not being prepared for an alien attack.

[KokuraiNoSenshi 3,463]

Oh.  It's no one's fault for lack of knowledge.  It's not something that should have ever been here, so no one should have had to know it.  The only one's at fault are the people who let it get here in the first place.  That'd be like blaming earth for not being prepared for an alien attack.

So wait, are we back to blaming the people who came over here in the first place??? That's what I said in the beginning!!!

[Nulln 754]

So wait, are we back to blaming the people who came over here in the first place??? That's what I said in the beginning!!!

Them and whoever's job it is to keep it contained and let them leave the country.  

[Genepool 224]

No... No... need more lemon pledge.

 

In regards to Ebola, the media is to blame for some of it getting out of hand.  The disease isn't to be triffled with since the virus is classified as a Bio-Hazard Level 4 contagion, but people are getting out of hand, as usual or not to be unexpected, because of it. 

 

I would have to do some digging, but what I find puzzling is the fact this strain appears to have a high lethality rating at 50 to 70% normal. Instead, it seems to have killed 18% of the people that have been infected.  This could be due to better supportive care. I just don't know.  The only thing that concerns me is the rate at which bacteria and viruses can mutate and evolve when compared to other forms of DNA/RNA based life as we know it.  If this thing evolves the ability to spread via air, that's when we'll need to panic.   

[whitetiger187 197]

Listen. It is not the first time I hear about some "terrible virus" that "will kill entire humanity" from media. It is old boring story, just like more and more "apocalypse visions" and will not become true. It is just a way to attract viewers, because we are somehow more interested in reading about bad things instead of good ones. Don't listen to this nonsense, no death is coming our way, this virus will be finished same way as the ones before him and will not cause half as much damage as You suggest. Also - don't spread panic, there are children too for christ's sake and I already had one crying kid of my neighbour because of stupid news crying about upcoming apocalypse (that never happened).

I agree, I mean look back on aids, anthrax, and the bird flu. All these were viruses that were causing hysteria from the media that in the end, did not devastate humanity. It's no secret these days that the media, this being the news media and the like, loves to propagate things. It's how they make their living, sadly.

[IcyHaze 593]

It's 90% in Africa, but apparently it's more like 50% in the developed world.

Also, it only spreads through bodily fluids, and dies quite quickly when out of the body.

So, no, this isn't the end, and we're not all going to die.

[Jeric 46,835]

 

 

I would have to do some digging, but what I find puzzling is the fact this strain appears to have a high lethality rating at 50 to 70% normal. Instead, it seems to have killed 18% of the people that have been infected.  This could be due to better supportive care. I just don't know.  The only thing that concerns me is the rate at which bacteria and viruses can mutate and evolve when compared to other forms of DNA/RNA based life as we know it.  If this thing evolves the ability to spread via air, that's when we'll need to panic.   

 

There is a lot in incorrect and oversimplified information in this comment. The communicability rates and mortality rates are all  published and your rates are way off. Mentioning bacteria with viruses is akin to comparing an asteroid to a comet, or a mouse to a human. I know grade school text books like to lump prokaryotes with eukaryotes, but dear lord please don't follow them. Also, what is the mutation rate you speak of? To my knowledge, we have yet to see evidence of filoviridae mutation to airborne in all of our scientific history of virology. 

 

I'm actually waiting on a cellular biologist to get back with me on published articles on this so I can source it here. 

[KokuraiNoSenshi 3,463]

There is a lot in incorrect and oversimplified information in this comment. The communicability rates and mortality rates are all  published and your rates are way off. Mentioning bacteria with viruses is akin to comparing an asteroid to a comet, or a mouse to a human. I know grade school text books like to lump prokaryotes with eukaryotes, but dear lord please don't follow them. Also, what is the mutation rate you speak of? To my knowledge, we have yet to see evidence of filoviridae mutation to airborne in all of our scientific history of virology. 

 

I'm actually waiting on a cellular biologist to get back with me on published articles on this so I can source it here. 

^Smart words, listen to them.

[Genepool 224]

There is a lot in incorrect and oversimplified information in this comment. The communicability rates and mortality rates are all  published and your rates are way off. Mentioning bacteria with viruses is akin to comparing an asteroid to a comet, or a mouse to a human. I know grade school text books like to lump prokaryotes with eukaryotes, but dear lord please don't follow them. Also, what is the mutation rate you speak of? To my knowledge, we have yet to see evidence of filoviridae mutation to airborne in all of our scientific history of virology. 

 

I'm actually waiting on a cellular biologist to get back with me on published articles on this so I can source it here. 

 

I'll enjoy reading the article if you can find it.  Please, list the sources so I know where I'm wrong and how to correct myself.  I don't have a problem being wrong, but I want substantiated claims that are backed up via reputable resources.

[Jeric 46,835]

I'll enjoy reading the article if you can find it.  Please, list the sources so I know where I'm wrong and how to correct myself.  I don't have a problem being wrong, but I want substantiated claims that are backed up via reputable resources.

 

Heh. I have a reputation for access to some real primary sources. Mental health to Engineering to Cosmology to Cellular Biology. Dr. Oz (the source for a lot of the damn nonsense going around) is not a virologist and has been recently attacked by actual scientists for even speculating about an airborne mutation. Your post sounded a lot like what other news agencies have basically copy and pasted as an article not realizing that there is a difference between a car mechanic and a aerospace engineer.

 

I just realized that we also have a microbiology student on this very board, but his focus is on water habitat bacteria so he is probably not the best one to mention (but honestly would still be more in tune with cellular biology than a physician). Anyhoo, an old college friend I referred to in my last post told me to start with Dr. Ian Jones -  a Virologist for University of Reading - and Professor Vincent Racaniello of Columbia University since they are cited more on viral evolution that others. 

 

Dr. Jones Credentials

Dr. Racaniello's Credentials

 

Turns out that Prof. Raceniello is a regular contributor to a major Virology blog (perfect for a layman's explanation and for my convenience). Both university bio pages include peer reviewed and published material on retro, rhino, hetero, etc viral mutation. From there looks like old Doc Rac recently covered this topic. Read this post by the one of the worlds most recognized scientist in his field.

 

Summing it up is easy enough. Scientists will not say it is impossible, but it has never been recorded before in the history of virology and is pretty remote to the point where it should not be a concern or fear. 

 

That good enough for you?

[Simon 4,554]

Reopening the thread.

 

Guys, please try and keep a mature and intelligent discussion going on here.  Leave the fear mongering off the forum, and refrain from making off-topic or joke posts in here.

If the thread continues to have problems, it will be closed.

[Starshine 16,330]

THANK YOU EBOLA CHAN

My my, this thread certainly has some interesting... discussions. There are a lot more "CALM THE F DOWN GUISE JEEZ" rather than "we gun die omg" than one would expect. Now I'm curious what the hell happened before fire nation mods attacked

 

I personally wouldn't worry out myself, as all I need to do is washing my hands and not touch any medical professionals or anyone bleeding to death, I'm good.

[Wulfgar Von Heltzer 42]

From what I've heard about it, anyone who washes they're hands before touching anything going into their mouths, and avoids letting anything touch an open wound will almost be guaranteed to not get it. I've noticed that barely anyone washes they're hands before eating (unless there's something visible on them), which I don't understand. Those people are probably screwed.

[Vox 870]

Initially, WHO, the CDC, and other health orginizations really underestimated this, and now look what we have, the first time Ebola has been present in humans in the United States (this isn't the first time Ebola's been here, if you care to know more about that, read "The Hot Zone" ). The CDC's shown nothing but incompetance and malpractice of the situation, all they care about is their public image. It's not going to happen, but if you ask me, they should put USAAMRID in control, they handled the Reston outbreak a hell of a lot better than the CDC could ever do.

[Twilight S7 27]

So far, the only possible solution that I can think of that is feesable would be to just shut down travel between the U.S., at least until we take blood samples from the few survivors of Ebola and try to find an antidote other countries, at least until we take blood samples from the few survivors of Ebola and try to find an antidote. It sounds harsh, I realize that, but so far, there is NO cure. Very few people are able to succesfully fight off this virus. Not enough that there is a chance for the virus to be singled out. If we shut off international travel, we can keep the virus from spreading in the U.S., as long as we are INCREDIBLY careful treating the few infected here. I feel that other countries should do that too.

[SmartCookie001 245]

I see people "joking" about it and I think to myself about why they think it's funny.