Since its original outbreak in late March, Ebola, an infectious and generally fatal disease, has become more rampant and has now spread to 11 countries. The World Health Organization has reported more than 7,400 cases and more than 3,400 deaths from the disease.

The outbreak has been the deadliest Ebola outbreak, eclipsing the 1976 outbreak, the year the disease was discovered. Scientists believe rats are the natural reservoir of Ebola, according to The New York Times, and that apes and humans get the disease from eating food that bats have drooled or defecated on.

Countries around the world have taken steps to try and prevent the spread of the disease. President Barack Obama said Monday the United States would increase passenger screenings in the U.S. and Africa.

Liberia has been most affected by the disease, with a total of 3,834 cases and 2,069 deaths, according to the WHO. The latest Ebola patient to come to the U.S. arrived on Sept. 30 and is being treated in Dallas. In total, six patients have set foot on U.S. soil, three have recovered and three are still in treatment.

The Daily Orange spoke with David Larsen, an associate professor in the department of public health, food studies and nutrition and Sandra Lane, a professor of public health and anthropology, about the disease.

The Daily Orange: How would you describe the situation in West Africa with Ebola?

Larsen: I think what we’re seeing in Liberia and those places are healthcare systems and infrastructure that aren’t very developed. In Monrovia (the capital of Liberia), it’s a poor city, there’s an issue of manpower and (the Ebola virus) has gotten in front of us.

The D.O.: Is there a risk of Ebola spreading within the U.S. and what might that look like?

Larsen: I don’t think so. The U.S. healthcare system is suited to deal with things like this very well, and if symptoms are reported, those patients will be immediately quarantined and officials will trace everyone they’ve been in contact with. The case in Dallas was an isolated case.

The D.O.: What can be done to contain the virus?

Larsen: Since the Ebola virus is spread by bodily fluids, and is not a viral illness, containment is fairly straightforward. When people become symptomatic, they should be quarantined along with anyone they have come into contact with, to ensure that the virus doesn’t spread. It also helps that Ebola is only infectious if symptomatic, so it can be addressed immediately.

Lane: Identify and isolate anyone with potential Ebola.  In the US that would be anyone who has come from a country that has Ebola within 21 days and has a fever. Identify any people who were in direct contact with the ebola-infected person during the time that that person had symptoms. Watch those individuals for 21 days. Healthcare workers must wear protective clothing while caring for ebola patients.

The D.O.: How do you see public health policy and customs policy being affected, and what do you think should be done?

Larsen: I think we’re not quite at the point of border restrictions…there’s no need to vamp up costs unnecessarily. Precautions are key, and healthcare workers or anyone else traveling from West Africa should be monitored in some way, and health officials should be tracing everyone they contact with.

Lane: Some people are advocating closing the borders. I do not agree. Rapid identification, isolation and follow up of potentially exposed contacts is a much better strategy. Ebola may also make us aware of the flaws in our own system, like in the Texas hospital case.

The D.O.: What are some of the biggest concerns in your mind pertaining to this epidemic?

Larsen: It wasn’t expected to spread in West Africa, as it has never been an issue where it’s spread now. Because of how it’s transmitted, Ebola doesn’t jump from community to community easily. The fact that it’s spread from Guinea to Liberia and Sierra Leone was a surprise. In history it’s always burned itself out before this point. A big concern right now is whether the outbreak will spread in Nigeria, but Doctors Without Borders have been containing it there.

The DO: What can people do to protect themselves from infection?

Larsen: I’d say being careful in airports is a good idea. If you come into contact with someone traveling from West Africa, be aware of that. The best move for people who might have the virus is to get in contact with health authorities because while they will be isolated, they will also receive the best possible care. Most Ebola patients die from dehydration. It’s survivable.

Published on October 8, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Thomas: tjbeckle@syr.edu