Quote:
Originally Posted by sunnyatlast
The writer's excellent credentials are at the end of the article linked in NYTimes....
"The second possibility is one that virologists are loath to discuss openly but are definitely considering in private: that an Ebola virus could mutate to become transmissible through the air. You can now get Ebola only through direct contact with bodily fluids. But viruses like Ebola are notoriously sloppy in replicating, meaning the virus entering one person may be genetically different from the virus entering the next. The current Ebola virus’s hyper-evolution is unprecedented; there has been more human-to-human transmission in the past four months than most likely occurred in the last 500 to 1,000 years. Each new infection represents trillions of throws of the genetic dice.
If certain mutations occurred, it would mean that just breathing would put one at risk of contracting Ebola. Infections could spread quickly to every part of the globe, as the H1N1 influenza virus did in 2009, after its birth in Mexico.
Why are public officials afraid to discuss this? They don’t want to be accused of screaming “Fire!” in a crowded theater — as I’m sure some will accuse me of doing. But the risk is real, and until we consider it, the world will not be prepared to do what is necessary to end the epidemic......
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/12/op...out-ebola.html |
All people can do is take responsibility for their own health. Cancel any plane reservations, any cruise reservations, stay away from crowds, do not use public restrooms, etc etc etc.
If you take all precautions and still get the virus, you can go out knowing you did all the right things for you and your family.