As fear of the Ebola epidemic sweeps across the globe, many people are much more at risk from misinformation than from this deadly virus. By educating yourself on the basics of Ebola, also known as Ebola virus disease, you can discover the keys to keeping yourself safe and joining the fight against Ebola.
Before 2014, many people in the United States had never even heard the word “Ebola.” However, the first outbreak of Ebola occurred decades ago, in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo during 1976. Over the following years, several African countries suffered from devastating outbreaks of the disease, and at times, the fatality rate for Ebola patients was as high as 90 percent.
In mid-2014, another outbreak of Ebola in various African countries grew to previously unseen heights. Thousands have already been affected by the disease, and Ebola is beginning to spread to other nations.
Although many people are afraid of catching Ebola, the disease can only be spread in a few very specific ways, and with the proper medical care available in countries such as the United States, many Ebola patients are able to survive. Still, there is not yet any cure or vaccine against Ebola, and the disease continues to wreak havoc in countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone, and the world needs to take many steps in order to contain the virus and save the lives of those threatened by Ebola.
•What Ebola is •The history of Ebola •How Ebola spreads •The symptoms and risk factors of Ebola •How Ebola is diagnosed •Treatment methods for Ebola •Potential cures and vaccines for Ebola •How to protect yourself and your family from Ebola •How to help in the fight against the Ebola epidemic