That sort of study can be finished quickly when the data is in a diseased stricken 3rd world country.
From my genetics classes in college (long time ago) Im pretty confident they state that viruses do NOT mutate as fast/often as humans think they do. Like years and decades and centuries... not days/months/years. Mutations are just not as common as you would think.
According to CNN on Sirius, the nurses treating the patient weren't wearing the proper face masks for protection while caring for him. Some wore none at all. ****ing kidding me?
I found an article that backs this up.. quick google search http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-the-ebola-virus-will-go-airborne/ But interviews with several infectious diseases experts reveal that whereas such a mutation—or more likely series of mutations—might physically be possible, it’s highly unlikely. In fact, there’s almost no historical precedent for any virus to change its basic mode of transmission so radically. “We have so many problems with Ebola, let’s not make another one that, of course, is theoretically possible but is pretty way down on the list of likely issues," says infectious diseases expert William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University. "Everything that is happening now can easily be comprehensively explained by person-to-person spread via body contact. We don’t have to invoke anything else.”
Its not suppose to be airborne. If all it takes a single drop of blood or spit or sweat and you got ebola that is one heck of a disease.
Just want to mention that this article is specifically talking about a (massive) leap in evolution, but viral mutations do happen all the time. In fact, a mutation to increase virulence can take many forms (not just a different mode of infection) and can develop in a short period of time. However, I'm not going to say that this is what happened with the Ebola virus
No one told her she couldnt/shouldnt fly after treating the Ebola patient. Should she have known? My goodness, Nigeria has done a better job containing the virus that is in its back yard than the United States has a world away.
This is true. I commented after reading how they were told not to fly, "they seem to be making it up as they go along."
(1A) Link? (1B) Would you board a commercial jet if you'd cleaned up after an ebola patient and your coworker who did the same came down with ebola? (yes, even if it was wedding planning.) (2) Too early to say, but it could be true. They had a great infrastructure in place for outbreaks, apparently, despite other difficulties. We've been fat and happy worrying about flu shots and dirty hippies who won't get vaccinated for measles and whooping cough.
She was apparently not allowed to fly on commercial airlines, according to the CDC. No they didn't. They had one initial Liberian patient that spread to 11 hospital staff before being IDed, and then ultimately to 20 people before being contained. 8 of those died. We have one initial patient that's spread to 2 more at this point. 1 has died.
I'd like to see proof that the CDC told them not to fly. Until that happens, I have no issues with the nurse flying. She was monitoring her condition. She had not exhibited any signs of ebola until her return flight. These healthcare workers are not second-rate citizens and do have their rights and lives to live. From what it sounds like, they took all the precautions required when treating patients with infective diseases. The risk of contracting it was supposedly low, much lower than those who had contact with Duncan before it was known he had ebola. In my opinion, it's the CDC who failed to contain the spread in the US. They should have sent in their team to treat Duncan or have him flown to the CDC for his care. They are the ones who are best trained to treat ebola patients and prevent its spread.
1A) Was watching NBC when they said she wasn't told. 1B) I wouldn't, no. But, there is seriously so much ignorance about Ebola from contraction to when you're actually infectious to how dangerous it is from HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, I cant blame her for thinking she was fine after she thought she was following protocol. This is why I dont think the CDC told them about flying. Even treating a highly infectious patient with 70 people seems downright ridiculous for a Hospital that is supposedly under the watch of the CDC. 2) they haven't had a reported case of Ebola since September 8th. for Nigeria with people going in and out of the Airports from the infected areas of West Africa that is pretty remarkable IMO.
I agree with some of what you said in the unquoted regions, but with the quoted part: 1. From what it sounds like, they had spotty protocols in place. That's not the nurses' fault of course. 2. The risk of contracting it is MUCH HIGHER for a healthcare worker during a late stage illness (full of poop and vomit) than for a family member hanging out the person before they start showing many symptoms. Again, it's an exponentially increasing viral load with time. I still cannot imagine the following. a. You know you have worked intensely with an ebola patient who was vomiting , etc. b. That patient dies. c. Your co-worker who shared your duties contracts ebola. d. You know you could come down with it at any time. d. ??? f for FAIL. You decide to fly to Cleveland, because... wedding! I agree people have their own lives, and even though I can be selfish, I never could run down a list like that and decide to get on a plane, just because of the risk to others.
