Recent looting of a quarantine centre in Monrovia ( capital of Liberia ) – forcing it to close – highlights the problems in controlling this West African epidemic. There is ignorance about the virus, even disbelief that it exists, and reluctance to cooperate with health care workers ( who are feared to be carrying the virus ) .


In ways Ebola is similar to AIDS – diseases starting in animals of African jungles and taking hold in countries without decent health infrastructure, but on a FAR smaller scale. Lessons have been learned from AIDS - prevention is better than cure ( or treatment if incurable ), and certainly much cheaper.


Panic, fear, and disbelief are – up to a point – understandable. Vaccines and antibiotics have surely made infectious diseases less threatening ? But AIDS, SARS, MERS, bird flu and swine flu – plus antibiotic resistance - have made us think again.


Communicable ( infectious ) diseases now account for around a third of deaths, and non-communicable diseases ( cardiovascular; diabetes; cancers ) two thirds, worldwide. In the UK communicable diseases account for 10% ; the Philippines 40% ; but 60% or more in poor countries such as those affected by Ebola.


We don’t even know for sure how many people have been affected in this Ebola epidemic . But it’s thought more WILL, before control is achieved, hopefully in the next 6 months. We do know how few resources have – so far – been available in the countries involved.

According to World Health Organization, Guinea spends under £ 40 / person on health each year. Sierra Leone has 2 doctors/100,000. Compare this to UK ( over £ 2000 and 272 doctors ) or Philippines ( £ 85 and 115 doctors ). Unlike the UK, “ pay as you go “ / “ out of pocket “ healthcare is more often the rule than the exception.


At least the severity of this outbreak is recognised. There is international financial help. More health workers are available ( and sadly already around 150 infected / 80 deaths ). Long term investment is needed in providing more doctors, health infrastructure ( public health measures, clinics ) and education. Eventually new drugs / vaccines should become available.


Unfortunately the cost to the affected economies could exceed the medical bills . Lethal diseases that have no cure tend to cause over-reactions and confusion. There are already travel restrictions, and a few firms have removed foreign workers. This is understandable, but while most firms are taking a “ wait and see “ approach, let’s hope this epidemic will be contained sooner than later.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-28827091



http://www.economist.com/news/intern...nd-world-fever