One of the largest and the most disturbing subjects of the contemporary biology is the epidemic of Ebola virus that has been going through the people of West Africa like fire. The world’s community has been shaken by the news about the virus and the pace of its spreading. The news platforms all around the world focused on following and analyzing the events and their victims in West Africa, informing the society of the rest of the world about the latest research and the development of the epidemic.
After the fist Ebola victim outside of Africa died, the world, and the United States namely fell into panic. This man was Thomas Eric Duncan, and he died in the Texas hospital. His body was cremated according to the instructions of prevention of the virus spreading. Duncan’s son, girlfriend, her family and ten other people suspected to have had direct contact with the victim are currently isolated and monitored (Gambino and Dart par. 14).
The scientists believe that all the patients with symptomatic Ebola should be isolated immediately, because according to the research the peak f contagion happens within four days after the symptoms occur (American College of Physicians par. 4). The experts believe that the epidemic in Liberia could be eliminated through the isolation of the infected individuals.
Today, after around five thousand people of West Africa are dead from Ebola virus and the epidemic burst out of control and even managed to make its way to the United States of America, it turns out that the vaccine for this highly dangerous disease already exists. New York Times reports that the records about the development of Ebola vaccine date back to 2010 and 2011.
The vaccine proved to be one hundred per cent effective on monkeys, but has not been tested on people (Grady par. 1). The vaccine has never been licensed and no other products were developed only because until now the Ebola virus used to be rather rare, besides, the medications treating it were to be distributed to the countries with the limited paying abilities.
It is understandable that taking into consideration the current course of events and the great danger presented by the Ebola virus not only to Africa, but to the society of the whole world, the scientists and sponsors will focus on developing a maximally efficient vaccine and treatment to prevent the lethal virus from killing more patients and from travelling around the world and affecting more people.
Works Cited
American College of Physicians. “Prompt Isolation of Symptomatic Patients Is Key to Eliminating Ebola, Study Suggests.” ScienceDaily. 2014. Web.
Gambino, Lauren and Tom Dart. Texas Ebola Patient Dies as Officials Monitor Those Who Had Direct Contact. The Guardian. 2014. Web.
Grady, Denise. Ebola Vaccine, Ready for Test, Sat on the Shelf. New York Times. 2014. Web.