Is Ebola Outbreak Entering New Phase?

[grip]

Is Ebola Outbreak Entering New Phase?

The reports of declining rates of new Ebola cases in Liberia, announced by the World Health Organization on Oct. 29, fueled hopes that the outbreak response is working, but experts are cautioning that it is too soon to believe the epidemic has entered a new phase, with slower growth.

In early September, scientists had estimated that if the outbreak were to keep growing at its current rate, by the beginning of November, there would be nearly 9,900 cases in Liberia and more than 20,000 total cases in all three countries. Another report predicted an estimated 21,000 cases just in Liberia and Sierra Leone by Sept. 30.

The actual numbers are much better than those projections, with about 13,500 cases in all three countries combined. But the numbers are still too high, WHO officials warned, and the shift in the speed of the outbreak's spread could be temporary. It's possible that cases of the disease could increase in areas that are now experiencing steady numbers of cases, WHO officials said.

"If you look at the map, one of the concerning things is how much Ebola has penetrated into more rural areas of all of these countries," Schaffner said. In rural areas, populations are smaller, and people's homes are more scattered than in urban settings, but these places are also remote, far from the reach of public health officials. "There may even be cases occurring in small villages now that we don't know about," Schaffner said.

At first, I thought this article was going to talk about Ebola subsiding, and it does indicate this, but it sort of also implies that we're not out of the woods yet.

Reminds me of a slow burning peat fire that could flare up if we let our guard down. It may be years before we can feel comfortable about this disease being contained. I'm more afraid of what even a limited outbreak in U.S. urban areas and major cities could do to our health and financial systems than actually catching the disease. Hopefully, they're still planning on producing enough vaccines to help eradicate this nightmare.

 

[Jango]

At first, I thought this article was going to talk about Ebola subsiding, and it does indicate this, but it sort of also implies that we're not out of the woods yet.

Reminds me of a slow burning peat fire that could flare up if we let our guard down. It may be years before we can feel comfortable about this disease being contained. I'm more afraid of what even a limited outbreak in U.S. urban areas and major cities could do to our health and financial systems than actually catching the disease. Hopefully, they're still planning on producing enough vaccines to help eradicate this nightmare.

We're not out of the woods yet, no, no we are not. There's been so many different explanations and attempts at the government informing the population, but it is hard to determine who is right and whose science is unbiased. If Ebola spreads via aerosols, like a sneeze, the really cold months approaching for the North East and Upper Midwest will be a tell all of how serious Ebola is in the U.S. At any rate, Ebola is of but one serious health issue in the U.S., there are several that are on-going, Ebola just complicates an already serious issue. And it really is not helpful, over all, that the government consistently sends out all sorts of angles, skits and promos, often enough in contradiction of one another which is further exacerbated by the media who is reporting all sides and questioning, Who Really Knows This Stuff? It is driving Americans, among other people, to more-and-more alternative sources for information. I'm talking the Alex Jones type. You can see it on every message board though, more-and-more members using "information" from RT or Press TV or WND or etc. If the government was transparent, so much confusion and unanswered questions would not exist. And if the media did not accept stonewalling so much. So, in that analysis, the government gets a low grade for sound governance and the media gets a low grade in informing the American people as Constitutionally dictated.

Nevertheless, when the **** hits the proverbial fan, scientists apparently lock themselves away until they make progress, like this: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/science/article4259018.ece

 

[longview]

A decline in the reports could also signal a breakdown in the infrastructure that does the counting.

 

[lifeisshort]

Ebola is an African disease that will never really take off in America. In Africa they insist on washing their dead despite the fact they died of Ebola and crowds loot Ebola hospitals for blankets. This is a third world problem and will remain so.

 

[Declan]

From what I have heard it is still spreading in Sierra Leon but is under control and dropping in the neighboring states.

 

[ThePlayDrive]

Yes. It's entered the phase of "the election is over so nobody cares anymore."

 

[grip]

We're not out of the woods yet, no, no we are not. There's been so many different explanations and attempts at the government informing the population, but it is hard to determine who is right and whose science is unbiased. If Ebola spreads via aerosols, like a sneeze, the really cold months approaching for the North East and Upper Midwest will be a tell all of how serious Ebola is in the U.S. At any rate, Ebola is of but one serious health issue in the U.S., there are several that are on-going, Ebola just complicates an already serious issue. And it really is not helpful, over all, that the government consistently sends out all sorts of angles, skits and promos, often enough in contradiction of one another which is further exacerbated by the media who is reporting all sides and questioning, Who Really Knows This Stuff? It is driving Americans, among other people, to more-and-more alternative sources for information. I'm talking the Alex Jones type. You can see it on every message board though, more-and-more members using "information" from RT or Press TV or WND or etc. If the government was transparent, so much confusion and unanswered questions would not exist. And if the media did not accept stonewalling so much. So, in that analysis, the government gets a low grade for sound governance and the media gets a low grade in informing the American people as Constitutionally dictated.

Nevertheless, when the **** hits the proverbial fan, scientists apparently lock themselves away until they make progress, like this: Scientists create drug to replace antibiotics | The Times

The gov't, CDC and WHO are all taking this disease much more seriously and maximizing attempts to prevent it spreading, though it's obvious they're also using their power and influence to under report and downplay it to control unnecessary, Media driven hysteria. And it obviously does spread a little easier than ingesting a sick persons bodily fluids, it's not airborne by any means in the classical sense. I don't fear with our current protocols or precautions that there will be a raging epidemic in the US or even on a global scale, I do believe if it's left uncontained in Africa it will slowly spread outwards in time. And the economic and market panic over it can be far more damaging.

Yes. It's entered the phase of "the election is over so nobody cares anymore."

I think this article below shows the President does.

Obama seeks $6.2 billion for Ebola fight

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Wednesday asked Congress for $6.2 billion in emergency funds to confront Ebola at its source in West Africa and to secure the United States against any possible spread.

The $4.64 billion in immediate spending, which also includes about $240 million split between the Pentagon and the Department of State, would be used to strengthen the public health system in the U.S., combat the epidemic in West Africa, and speed up the development and testing of vaccines and other therapies. The money also would be used to help vulnerable foreign countries detect and respond to the disease.

The administration would establish more than 50 Ebola treatment centers throughout the United States, procure safety suits, and more strictly monitor travelers on their arrival in the U.S.

"My foremost priority is to protect the health and safety of Americans, and this request supports all necessary steps to fortify our domestic health system and prevent any outbreaks at home," Obama said in a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.