The Ebola Outbreak

The Ebola Outbreak

The Gist:

Ebola was first reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 1970s and is spread when a person comes in direct contact with an infected person. Normally the disease has a 90% mortality rate, but this time around it stands at about 50%. Symptoms at first include fever, intense weakness, and headache and are followed by vomiting, diarrhea, impaired kidney and liver function and internal and external bleeding. Always a big deal, it become a HUGE deal when a Liberian citizen contracted the disease and came to the U.S. aboard a flight via Brussels and Washington. Initially told to go home, he went back and U.S. officials confirmed he had Ebola and he has been in critical condition in a Dallas hospital ever since. Although he came in contact with dozens of people, including school age children, none have shown symptoms yet....and now you know the gist.