Ebola, a viral disease that causes hemorrhagic fevers, became widely known with a series of epidemics in West Africa beginning in 2013. Ebola is highly contagious and, depending on the strain, kills 25%-90% of those infected. The virus causes internal bleeding and may cause external bleeding, which can result in death. Because of the high incidence of death and the ease of transmission, Ebola is one of the viruses that present the greatest public health risk in the world today. There is no proven and confirmed treatment or medication for Ebola, which makes the virus even more of a concern.
Ironically, the experience of the West African Ebola epidemic provided valuable information and data about managing the circumstances connected with a highly contagious and deadly virus. The importance of clear and consistent communication on the part of public health officials and elected officials became clear, just as did the necessity of having medical resources and medical personnel trained and prepared for action in the case of a rapidly-loving epidemic/pandemic. Ebola also taught the world about the psychological element of a pandemic, forcing families apart and breaking basic social customs and norms in situations where individuals had to radically reshape their daily routines, including interactions with others.
These experiences have proven important during the current Covid-19 pandemic crisis. World leaders have taken lessons from the Ebola epidemics of the past when it comes to clear and consistent communication with affected citizens, particularly in the European Union and several Asian countries like South Korea. Medical professionals have also been able to respond to the challenge with lessons about preventing the spread of a highly contagious virus in healthcare settings. And past research on possible Ebola vaccines developed technologies that have been put to use to prepare an effective Covid-19 vaccine in less than a year since the emergence of the new severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus.
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