As the Ebola virus disease became out of control in Africa and had put the international society in danger of being infected, World Health Organization director general Dr. Margaret Chan declared an international public health emergency on August 8, 2014.

Key facts about EVD

● According to Ria Novosti news, the virus has fatality rate of average 54% (latest figure).
● Death toll in four most affected countries in Africa, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, has reached up to 1500, and 3000 affected, according to Ria Novosti news August 28th.
● According to Ria Novosti news (August 25th), the virus has infected 240 health care professionals and killed 140 of them.
● The virus is transmitted to humans through physical contact by bodily fluid.
● EVD can also be transmitted to humans by wild animals through physical contact or from consumption.
● Two main animal species that are considered the natural host of the virus are monkeys and fruit bats.
● Despite the fact that the virus is a lethal disease, the rate of survival can be increased if symptoms are quickly identified and the patient receives intensive supportive care.

Casualties of the deadly virus add up to approximately 3000, which consist of more than 1500 deaths and about 1500 patients currently suffering from the virus. Currently there are no vaccines or strong preventative measures. Three Americans: Two doctors and a nurse, and a Spanish priest were transferred back to their homelands after they were infected with the virus. Unfortunately, the priest died during treatment but the other three are currently receiving the best medical care in the US. One of the Americans, Dr. Kent Brantly is showing positive results after receiving treatment using a new drug.
Medical sectors in the international society are focusing their research on vaccines for Ebola virus disease. However, how most patients are treated is not much different from patients with the flu. They are rehydrated with basic solutions as ill patients frequently experience dehydration. A number of vaccines, including a new drug named "G-map" are being tested to be licensed so that they can be safely used on thousands of African citizens. Other than the new drug, there are no licensed vaccines and definite treatments for EVD at the moment.
Why is the world acting differently than when the virus was discovered for the first time? There are several reasons for such a change. The initial outbreak of the virus occurred in 1976 and at the time, around 600 were affected and 280 people died. After that and before the 2014 outbreak, there were other outbreaks of the virus from 1995 to 2013. The previous outbreaks have killed less than the 2014 outbreak. The reason for this is that these outbreaks occurred in country sides and areas with low population density. This time, the virus spread to cities in four African countries causing a major international public health emergency.
The virus has a 54% fatality rate, there will be no vaccines and treatments for at least 1 year, and so it is best to prevent the infection. WHO has advised to refrain from visiting countries with EVD outbreak, and frequently washing hands for sanitation. Fortunately, EVD can only be transmitted through physical contact and bodily fluid. So, unless there is a major loop in the disease control inspection system in Korean airports, sanitary supervision is all that is needed.
There was a concern in Korea about an international event at Duksung Women’s University. It is an annual event hosted by UN Women. The concern was that students from Africa were invited and the university was planning to provide them with a place to stay in the university dormitory. Due to a huge number of Korean citizens expressing their worries, the university announced that they have retracted invitations for three students from Nigeria. The Korean society continuously protested after the retraction of invitation of Nigerian students asking the university to cancel the event but it was preceded as scheduled.

swk190cm@gmail.com