News Fear Of Ebola Spreading

[Deleted member 10686]

As I'm watching the news and seeing a new ebola case has begun I am filled with fear that Ebola will continue to spread through the United States. Even a nurse with full protective gear has now gotten ebola. The symptoms are muh like the flu so as it spreads, people will think they are simply sick and not think "oh, I might have ebola" and it will continue to get worse. This is my big fear. It is really getting to me . I live not that far from the epicenter of the problem in the US and fear it will get to me soon enough. Do you guys think the United States can really handle this outbreak or is it beyond our control? Is this something that we think we are tough and "got this" but really have not got a grasp on?

 

[Lucycat]

epicenter of the problem in the US

So how many cases are there now in the US? I know of the one guy who was turned away from hospital, subsequently admitted days later then died. Are you telling us there is now an outbreak of cases?

 

[desiderata310]

Meh.
I have travelers in and out if my work place every day. I'm honestly more worried about catching a nasty cold from one of them than Ebloa.

That said, I think that some more stringent measures should be taken to keep it from spreading from Africa. My guess is that the nurse who contracted it didn't follow strict protocol. I don't think it had mutated.

Do I think the US can handle it? *snort* I don't think our government could manage its way out of a paper bag.

 

[scout86]

As of a little while ago, they hadn't identified who the second US victim is. (Yes, as of right now there appears to be a second case in the US. They are still waiting for final confirmation from the CDC but the preliminary tests show a second case.) It may or may not have been someone who KNEW they were dealing with an Ebola patient at the time they were infected. A lot of people dealt with that guy before he was actually diagnosed. The nurse in Spain, who was supposed to be in protective gear all the time may have done something like touched something with an unprotected hand, then rubbed her eye. They aren't sure, last I heard.

What I actually think is this. It's not likely to turn into anything major in the developed world because the health care system is bigger and better. But, I also think this isn't necessarily going to be as simple and easy as they are making it sound. They might actually know that, and don't want people to panic. They might be a bit over confident, I have no way to know.

 

[Lucycat]

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/08/world/europe/ebola-spain/index.html

If this is what you are referring to as a nurse having it; read carefully. Mistakes were made. If they considered her risk to others ( after a positive diagnosis) so poorly as stated in this article then I would question their Universal Precaution techniques with the 2 patients she had treated, Note she is an assistant not a nurse - was she fully trained to look after these very complicated cases - I guess not if she caught it.

 

[Deleted member 10686]

Are you telling us there is now an outbreak of cases?

There is a nurse in the US that had extensive contact with the patient that died that now has ebola

 

[Deleted member 10686]

I'm just scared of the spread of it because people who are showing symptoms are showing symptoms similar to the flu and might not seek emergency help right away which in turn spreads it to others in their communities and creates an outbreak. I don't think our government is ready for this. There's too many "breaches" and "oopses" and "mistakes" going on.

 

[Lucycat]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...-victim-infected-despite-protective-suit.html
Aha - found it. Again despite protests to the contrary they are suspicious of mistakes having been made. It would seem most likely. A virus cannot travel by telepathy - there must have been contact somewhere.

 

[Lucycat]

creates an outbreak.

But that now makes 2 cases in a very huge country and a clear link between them. Contacts know who they are and are being monitored. They are still far more likely to have a cold than Ebola.

My concern is the airport screening will create complacency. However far more people are surviving this Ebola epidemic than any previous outbreaks. Prior outbreaks had 95% mortality ( death rate). This time it is less than 50% - so they are doing something right.

 

[Deleted member 10686]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...-victim-infected-despite-protective-suit.html
they are suspicious of mistakes having been made. .

Exactly. There's too many mistakes being made. I don't feel safe when there's a mistake and a new ebola case probably tomorrow too. I feel it's going to spread. Do u really think the US medical system and government is ready?

 

[Deleted member 10686]

But that now makes 2 cases in a very huge country t.

Maybe I've been watching doomsday preppers too much, I don't know. I'm just scared

 

[Lucycat]

I don't think it is about systems and government. It is about individual members of staff following policy and protocols to the letter with no short cuts.

There will now be heightened awareness in all hospital staff - after all it is themselves who face the dire consequences. Maybe they needed this wake up call to take it seriously. Scans at airports are meaningless if they don't follow it through.