Even though the world has known about the deadly Ebola virus, the diagnosis of the first Ebola patient on U.S. soil put Americans in a panic, fearing the virus that ironically few knew about even though it has been around for almost 40 years. Even the annual seasonal flu (influenza), both in the U.S. and worldwide, kills significantly more people and is a far greater threat than Ebola, everyone appeared concerned and some politicians even over-reacted. As part of a worldwide network of honorary consuls, it is our responsibility to be informed and help spread the facts about Ebola so as not cause unnecessary and inappropriate panic and fear.

Even though the recent outbreak of 2014 in West Africa was the largest in the history of the know virus, it has killed approximately 5000 people. In contrast, the seasonal flu in the U.S. takes almost 50,000 lives each year and hospitalizes over 200,000 persons. It is so important that this Ebola crisis be taken in true perspective.

Even though the West African Ebola mortality rate has been around 70%, Ebola is not easy to transmit. If we look at the first case diagnosed in the state of Texas, we can see that it is not easily transmitted. The infected man from West Africa lived with his relatives in an apartment in Texas before he was hospitalized. None of his relatives living with him got Ebola. Ebola as a virus is difficult to spread as it can only be spread through bodily fluids. As of now, Ebola cannot be spread in the air. This is unlike Measles which has come back in the U.S. Measles spreads rapidly in the air. Ebola is spread through bodily perspiration, urine, saliva, blood, sperm, breast milk, and fluids from the eyes and nasal passages. Standing or sitting by someone alone without transmission of fluids will not spread the virus.

Caution of course needs to be taken when there are open sores or openings in the body as the transmission can easily cross over. Also body fluids on surfaces can be a danger. When a person is exposed, there is always a 21 day quarantine period.

This is so important because the spread can occur quickly in large crowds if anyone coughs or sneezes. Thus it is critically important for anyone exposed and in isolation in their homes that experiences a fever during this 21-day period to immediately call the health department to come in appropriate personal protective equipment to confirm the symptoms and diagnosis of Ebola. One should never go in a car or taxi with these symptoms as the chances of spreading the virus increase.

It is important to understand that one of the reasons that Ebola has spread so widely in Africa has been that the country’s most affected are extremely poor and few if any such basic medical resources as hydration pumps. There is little to no access to hospitals or medical professionals in many of the isolated rural areas in Africa or large urban areas where Ebola is rampant.

In the Africa there are also many customs dealing with health, illness, and death in which chances for transmission are enhanced because of contact with body fluids. For example, if one family member comes down with Ebola, there is a very strong chance that others in the home environment will become there’s a good chance that others in the home will become infected, especially if patients bleed and vomit profusely. Families without modern toilets and washing machines have trouble cleaning up after patients who lose control of their bowels and produce huge amounts of diarrhea.

Most families and even some medical facilities and make shift hospitals have no washing facilities with clean safe water and no soap or disinfectant such as simple bleach. Even burying the dead can spread Ebola in these countries, because common burial rites involve washing the dead, preparing the bodies, and then carrying them by hand in no casket to be buried.

It is very important for everyone to understand that Ebola is far less lethal in a developed country that has access to modern intensive care and basic measures, such as keeping patients hydrated, maintaining a steady blood pressure, and following isolation protocols.

There is still much to be learned about the Ebola virus and about what the real preventive precautions should be taken. For example, it is estimated that males infected with the virus who survive, may have the virus living in the semen for up to 82 days. The virus may also survive in breast milk for up to 50 days.

It is important that as leaders in our communities, states, and regions that we communicate the known facts about Ebola without igniting fear and undermining public trust in health officials and researchers. Facts by themselves cannot overcome fear but we can help people better understand what is known with the reality that new knowledge and scientific discovery is an infinite and ongoing endeavor. Science is not always fact….and that is good or we would stifle new discovery.

We must help people understand what is known and that science doesn’t happen immediately and that learning from errors is a sign not of incompetence but of experts simply doing their jobs.

Ebola will be contained and eventually a vaccine will be developed. We are very close. The world community has come together to work on this. We can help this effort by helping to communicate the known facts and reduce fears through education and proper prevention and precaution.

Thanks by

Cecilia Rokusek. Ed.D., M.Sc. RDN
Slovak Honorary Consul for Florida
Assistant Dean for Education, Planning, and Research
Nova Southeastern University-
College of Osteopathic Medicine
Fort Lauderdale, FL