10 Ebola-Related Issues Still Unresolved

Going by the mainstream media, it appears as if Ebola is no longer the big news item it became just a few weeks ago.

In fact, some of the members of the "I told you so" brigade (otherwise known as the "Chicken Little mockers") appear to be participating in "Official End of the Ebola Scare" festivities. Reportedly, these ridiculous (to those who know that Ebola and many other Ebola-like disasters will ultimately have the last "laugh") celebrations will culminate in parades, city block parties and government-defending mock press conferences.

While it's true that the Ebola infection cases that were predicted by the alarmists have not shown up (at least, not on US, Canadian or European soil), this does not mean that all the caveats that have been put out were either out of line or unsubstantiated. Before these celebrations take place, it must be made clear to the mockers that many things about Ebola still remain unanswered or unresolved; in other words, there are aspects about the Ebola scare that may still come back to bite us where the sun doesn't shine--that's right, inside our cells.

Before we declare Ebola a "dead" issue, why don't we take a brief moment to ponder on the following rather troubling unanswered/unresolved circumstances:

1. Can the virus be spread outside the expected 21-day incubation period? It may surprise some people to know that much of the information published about Ebola is based on old studies and tests from the 70s and 80s; more importantly, questions have been raised by professionals that challenge some of the "facts" about Ebola, including whether this incubation period applies all the time.

2. Does one have to be showing symptoms in order to infect others? Some experts have touched on the availability of symptomless Ebola infections--i.e., people who were carriers but who were not symptomatic. Even if this is a rare occurrence, it is still something that needs further study, if only so that we can get a better handle on who is a risk for infectivity and who isn't.

3. Can the Ebola viruses infect healthy, intact skin? These viruses are certainly small enough to penetrate the skin, even in the absence of cuts and abrasions. Such occurrence would help explain why the virus is so easily spread among people handling bodily fluids of the infected and surfaces where the virus may lurk.

4. Do the hand sanitizers and disinfectants (used on surfaces sometimes touched) recommended in the field make the skin of those trying to protect themselves from Ebola more vulnerable to infection? These chemicals are suspected of actually making the skin dry, irritated and generally more sensitive to potential infections. Those persons in the frontlines of the fight against Ebola are entitled to specific answers.

5. How much does it matter (in terms of infectiousness) how the viruses enter the body? Picking up the virus through, say, dirty needles--how does this differ from getting the virus through cuts in one's skin? Furthermore, what level of infectivity is imposed by saliva and how does it differ from that imposed by vomit, urine, blood, etc.

6. Why has the federal government been so deficient in regards to forced quarantines/isolation and the strict restriction of travel to/from countries experiencing a virulent epidemic; what does this cavalier attitude say about how well prepared (or not) we are for the next disease pandemic? Defenders of the government say that such measures were not necessary because Ebola was not as dangerous as the alarmists were saying. Does this mean, though, that if/when a highly infectious airborne epidemic knocks on our door the government will act differently than it did about Ebola? How exactly can we be sure of that?

7. What short/long term medical problems can Ebola survivors expect? Actually, there have been very few studies (especially in regards to non-African victims) that delineate what survivors can realistically expect even if they survive Ebola. What long-term genetic ramifications, for example, might one expect? At a more basic level, a number of problems have been documented (tissue/joint inflammation, weakened organs, optical problems, hair loss, etc.). Clearly, clinical research studies need to be developed and implemented which answer some of these questions definitively.

8. What are the best methods for the disinfecting of areas where the virus may be found? Although a number of agents have been used, studies need to be conducted which more accurately measure how well these different agents do the job.

9. Which vectors and surfaces are most likely to give these viruses a comfortable home; also, what transmission issues does each of these pose? An expert for the EPA, for example, had wondered if the virus could find its way into the sewers, possibly leading to rats becoming a potential vector. It is already known that some animals (monkeys, rats, dogs, etc.) can carry the virus. We need to know how/if these animals can presently (or possibly in the future) transmit these viruses.

10. How can we motivate the pharmaceutical industry to find and produce the medicines and vaccines to fight Ebola on a long-term basis in third world countries? It is no secret that research on a vaccine for Ebola has been conducted with less than extreme speed and enthusiasm--most probably because of profit (or the lack thereof)concerns. Clearly, government funds may ultimately have to fund such research on a continuing basis.

Conclusion

The fact is that there are still too many unanswered questions and unresolved issues about Ebola. It's not a question of worrying about a great Ebola epidemic breaking out in the US (or Europe) but about the fact that, when it comes to infectious diseases as potential national threats, Ebola is only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, it's not a question of "if" but "when" another great disease pandemic (such as that of 1918-1919) will eventually hit the US.

In spite of those who seem to think that Ebola is now fully under control in developed countries, there are still issues/circumstances which may ultimately still hurt us (if not in the short then in the long run). At the very least, we need to make sure that when the next airborne epidemic comes knocking on American shores we are well-prepared for it.

This can be demonstrated by not repeating all the mistakes that have been made with Ebola and by making sure that we consider all unresolved/unanswered concerns and questions (about any disease/pathogen) before we take our defenses down or give up on legitimate concerns.

Copyright, 2014. Fred Fletcher. All rights reserved.

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