The widespread disease: Ebola

Article from The Washington Post “What we need to fight Ebola”

In this opinion piece from The Washington Post, the editor claims that in order to stop the ebola outbreak, we need to invest more resources into preventing and stopping the disease. The ebola, which is originated from Africa, has had occurred for the past 40 years. The type of the virus itself has not changed, but the way it is spreading has. People travel more often, so the virus is able to travel as well. The disease has been treated by non-governmental organizations in the past, however since this one is severe and the local community has been unwilling to cooperate, the editor claims that other organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO) would have to assist. Not only would it be costly, but there are not enough professionals for the number of those who are infected. The article is wrapped up in a way that leaves us with more curiosity - whether this outbreak is just another similar from the past, or if it dangerously affects West Africa and the world.

The author of the article is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at University of Minnesota, so he must be experienced in epidemics. He has claimed that if this does not get solved quick, the consequence will be that the number of deaths will increase, and “West Africa will be economically and politically destabilized.” He is possibly using his propositional knowledge as he is the director of the center at a university. He may have been experienced too, but it is more likely that he has gained the knowledge through researches and analyzing data. The “solution” that he claims to be the best so far, is a little questionable as he says “it is unclear how these efforts are being coordinated with the WHO and NGOs in Sierra Leone.”

In my personal view, I would agree since ebola is a disease that is easily spread worldwide, other countries must get involved and cooperate to solve the problem together. In order for me to evaluate this more accurately, I would need to know how the disease works, what happens when people get it and how fatal it is, and to what degree it is contagious. For instance, I do not know if ebola is spread through human contact, or through the air. In the article it said that some of the people have not revealed the fact that they have the disease because they or their family do not want to be away and isolated, and possibly come back dead. I have doubts whether they can be treated and cured and if I knew it is a disease that can be treated medically, I would think that large amounts of medicine should be produced and sent to the country. If it is a disease that cannot be cured, I would have a paradigm that people who has been in possible contact with the ones who have the disease, they should get checked immediately. If the professionals for this case is lacking, then I would definitely agree with the author that it should have worldwide organizations and many volunteers be sent with the knowledge of how to not be affected and also to terminate the disease.

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