The Ebola Outbreak: 'A Dress Rehearsal For The Next Big One'

[BikerDude]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2014/08/05/338059797/the-ebola-outbreak-a-dress-rehearsal-for-the-next-big-one

Until this year, the world had recorded 1,640 deaths from Ebola since the virus was discovered in 1976.

Then Ebola appeared in West Africa.

So far this year, 887 people have died of Ebola in West Africa, the World Health Organization Monday.
The graphs include only years in which 50 or more Ebola deaths were reported.

The graphs include only years in which 50 or more Ebola deaths were reported.
Linda Poon/Data from the World Health Organization

To put that into perspective, more than a third of all people known to have died from the virus have died in the current outbreak.

And the outbreak is still spreading at a frightening rate. Last week, there were more than 200 new cases reported across four countries.

To find out more about the origins of Ebola ? and what may lie ahead ? we talked to author . He wrote the book Spillover, which traces the evolution of Ebola, HIV and other diseases that move from animals to people.

Here's an excerpt from our conversation, which has been edited for clarity.

[LotsaBadKarma]

I have to admit that the courage and dedication exhibited by the 2 healthcare workers that were recently brought home to Emory University Medical Center is admirable what would have been really admirable would have been if they had said something to the effect of "I know you want to help me but I knew the risks when I came over here. Thus, I think that in order to keep Americans at home as safe as possible from this horrid disease you should just leave me here."

I also haven't heard anything further about the lady who died at Gatwick Airport after returning from Africa. Initially it was theorized that she might have been infected, as well.

One of those cases where the needs of the many seem to take a back seat to the needs of the few. I have an idea why this might be but it seems too paranoid to even discuss it.