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Post  cyfrifia Wed Oct 08, 2014 11:26 pm

Seems the Spanish nurse who voluntarily looked after Ebola patients, and became first person to catch ebola outside of Africa was ignored for six days when she reported her symptoms, and given paracetamol.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/ebola/11150114/Spanish-nurse-with-Ebola-says-her-fever-was-ignored-for-six-days.html

The case in Texas seems to have been a catalogue of errors as well. With ebola expected to become global, and, with air travel, expected to reach the UK before other places, it seems reasonable to expect problems.

Assurances from our politicians that the UK can cope with it are, assurances from politicians. What can we do, wash our hands of it? That probably is the most practical thing to do.

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derbyshire-firm-leads-fight-spread-deadly-Ebola/story-22898883-detail/story.html

http://www.salvira100.com/


Last edited by cyfrifia on Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:57 pm; edited 1 time in total

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Post  cyfrifia Sat Oct 11, 2014 2:17 pm

The best thing to do to slow the spread of ebola would probably be for the international community to airdrop the relevant places in Africa with massive amounts of plastic bottles of water and antiseptic hand wash. Would sea water and soap be ok for washing hands with?

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Post  Atlas Sun Oct 12, 2014 1:10 am

No. Sea water and soap are incompatible - the salt kills off the detergent aspects. It would however be better than nothing at all. The real problem is that this particular virus once on the skin is very adept at finding its way through any tiny minor abrasion, spot, cut, whatever and no amount of washing thereafter will do any good.
One shouldn't be exposed to it at all - under any circumstances. Total over-all body protection is the only safeguard and great care has to used when divesting of the same - ref Spanish nurse -.
I'm afraid we are talking one humongous effort here to put a stop to this lot. If we fail now we could have the problem forever - or until a killer vaccine can be produced in the numbers required and a proper vaccination programme initiated in the 'Ebola' regions to keep it under control. Question pale Shocked Rolling Eyes
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Post  cyfrifia Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:27 am

There was quite a lot of chat in the media about the importance of hand washing, but that seems to have tailed off. The World Health Organisation does recommend it, but, as you say Atlas, puts emphasis on total all body cover protection.

It seems that as more becomes known about ebola, just how very very contagious it is has become apparent. It looks as if extreme measures, such as grounding a lot of international traffic, quarantining entire countries, may be put in place eventually, if that's what is going to happen, the sooner the better really.

http://www.salvira100.com/

Meanwhile, some newspapers, the Times and the Mail, report that thousands of students from ebola affected countries will be returning to UK universities for the new term, and that university cleaners have been instructed to look out for blood and vomit in student accomodation.

The BBC isn't reporting on that, as yet. Education is an important income for the UK, but it's difficult to feel confident politicians are making the right decisions, they don't always.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Health/article1470351.ece

There are many stories of people doing brave and excellent work to tackle ebola, as health workers, scientists etc. Politicians usually operate in a rather theoretical version of reality, but will have to be totally in touch with reality to make the right decisions on this subject.

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Post  cyfrifia Tue Oct 14, 2014 12:29 am

After our government first saying no to screening at airports, they will now screen passengers arriving at Heathrow. The plan to send those screening positive for ebola to hospitals in Liverpool, Sheffield and Newcastle is not one I would choose.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/ebola-uk-screening-starting-at-heathrow-airport-on-tuesday-9792388.html

It would seem better to be on the safe side by using geographical containment, and not transporting patients long distances. I admit to being something of a 'Nimby' when it comes to ebola.

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Post  Atlas Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:47 am

Again it has all been about money and profit. The Pharma Chem comps have known about this virus for decades but as long as it remained in Africa on a small scale nothing by way of vaccines or killer bugs has been researched or attempted in any way because it wouldn't have been profitable to do so. Only now, when the rest of the world is threatened, has there been any effort put in. It is really a WHO problem in that they should be a position to insist and fund by tender/contract suitable Pharma Chem Comps whenever a new virus (with such lethal design) is discovered. They should also be able to insist the money is donated per pro rata to a fund for the purpose. There are a number of Labs working furiously now to produce a vaccine but sufficient won't become available for months yet - by which time the problem could be getting way out of hand.
Meanwhile it would destroy the economies of those countries affected if total bans were instituted on travel across borders, by whatever means. But we may have to do just that if things get too crazy.
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Post  cyfrifia Wed Oct 15, 2014 2:56 pm

Decisions about possibly closing borders and limiting international travel would be made by politicians, therefore made slowly, by people without in-depth scientific understanding. As you say, Atlas, research into a vaccine for previous outbreaks on the river ebola in the Congo did not have much economic or political motive, and were neglected.

The present outbreak is a different strain, known as 'ebola zaire', rather worse than the origional ebola, spreading between geographical places more easily. We can't expect everyone to be fully informed on important details, at least not within a relevant timescale.

http://news.liv.ac.uk/2014/07/30/ebola-outbreak-what-to-expect/

Now a second health worker in Texas has tested positive, shows even in a well-equipped modern hospital, the infectivity of the virus should not be underestimated. The long incubation period makes it difficult to screen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-29628622

Takes a while for facts to become apparent, to sink in to organisations, go through communication systems and for procedures to be changed. With the epidemic expected to continue badly for the near future, and UK being an international place, we do need to quickly prioritise better protective arrangements based on medical fact.

http://www.msf.org/

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Post  cyfrifia Thu Oct 16, 2014 2:27 pm

Medical people and politicians are announcing that a major outbreak of ebola is unlikely in europe and the USA. A major outbreak is what is happening in west africa, so good that anything so devastating is unlikely.

It does seem to be accepted that there will be ebola outbreaks in europe and USA, it's how well they are contained that's important.

Basic mistakes have been made in the USA, with nurses wearing incomplete protective suits, with silly 'welding' type face masks, exposed necks, and unsure of procedures.

Let's hope medical authorities in the UK fully understand the seriousness of protective measures and procedures, goggles, double gloves, etc.

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Post  Atlas Sat Oct 18, 2014 12:28 am

We shall see. Don't hold your breath - - er - - better still 'do'. Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes
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Post  cyfrifia Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:03 am

Yes, we shall see. It will be a while before it becomes apparent whether ebola will take hold outside of africa. The situation there continues to spiral, with very little help arriving as yet.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-29668603

Attitudes here and in Europe seem complacent, a lot of talk, probably some boxes being ticked, but little really practical or co-ordinated response. Whether or not we face a serious outbreak here probably depends more on the nature of the virus than anything governments might organise, as that would predictably be disconnected from reality and too little too late.

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Post  Hinch Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:35 am

It will only be weeks before we get it, possible from returning service personnel.
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Post  cyfrifia Sun Oct 19, 2014 9:38 pm

With novelty ebola suits for Halloween for sale on ebay, plus other ebola related t-shirts and novelty items, makes us wonder if the 'west' is reacting sensibly to the threat of ebola. 

USA and UK are both considering sending large numbers of soldiers to ebola stricken areas. Questions arise about the ethics of exposing them to deadly disease, and whether sufficient quarantine arrangements can be available for their return.

The general opinion seems to be that ebola can be contained, as long as no foolish mistakes are made.

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Post  Atlas Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:18 am

Well they do say that it isn't easy to contract. Such being the case - what does the virus know that 'we' don't? affraid affraid affraid
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Post  cyfrifia Mon Oct 20, 2014 1:32 am

That humans make foolish mistakes quite often, it's our defining characteristic.

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Post  Dalelad Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:46 pm

Well, we've not done too bad as a species it seems to me.
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Post  Atlas Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:22 am

Slowly destroying ourselves and every other thing around us is not what I would call - doing too bad as a species.
Unless of course that's the name of the game.
As for being 'top of the tree'. I don't like heights and wobbly branches.
We have a very, very, very long way to go if we are ever to become that intelligent as to be able to patch up the destruction we wreak and stop killing off everything else in the process.
I'm not saying we can't get there. But I don't like the odds between human technology and human intelligence as the driving forces. Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes
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Post  cyfrifia Tue Oct 21, 2014 1:03 am

There are certainly a lot of us.

From what we know, ebola can be contained, but with our NHS under strain already, and winter on it's way, are we prepared enough?

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Post  Dalelad Tue Oct 21, 2014 9:15 am

Atlas wrote:Slowly destroying ourselves and every other thing around us is not what I would call - doing too bad as a species.
Unless of course that's the name of the game.
As for being 'top of the tree'. I don't like heights and wobbly branches.
We have a very, very, very long way to go if we are ever to become that intelligent as to be able to patch up the destruction we wreak and stop killing off everything else in the process.
I'm not saying we can't get there.  But I don't like the odds between human technology and human intelligence as the driving forces. Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes

Well, being human is better than spending all day either looking for food, or looking to not be food. Get it wrong and be eaten alive, or breed to much and starve to death. At least we've moved a couple of steps on from this. Not perfect but not like any other species.
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Post  cyfrifia Tue Oct 21, 2014 3:22 pm

We are what we are, as a species, clever and adaptable, our civilisations rise and fall throughout history, we are creative and destructive. How it looks depends what times and circumstances you live through.

We are pretty sheltered from many realities here, but, UK has become one of the most internationalsised and crowded places ever, with service personnel, medics, students, visitors etc. coming and going between here and ebola striken areas of west africa, there is a probability we will import and have to cope with the virus.

How well set up we are for that is unknown as yet, but will become more of a talking point if and when.

Our governments are not so good at domestic issues. The political establishment sometimes shows little apparent regard for the people of the UK, almost as if they resent them getting in the way of their political theories.

Government and hospital departments have been declared unfit for purpouse. Various declarations of political intent have been unrealistic, not carried through. A lot seems to be achieved by way of bluff and bluster, so confidence in government is not high. 

Even so, as long as the facts are not covered up too much, and good resources allocated for quarantine, isolation wards or whatever is needed, it should be copeable with.

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Post  cyfrifia Wed Oct 22, 2014 12:57 pm

The World Health Organisation is under criticism for being too slow to react to epidemic diseases.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29691044
They are now meeting to discuss whether stricter travel regulations should be put in place.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-29721853

Travel restrictions would seem to be the front line response to containing the spread, if travel is eventually going to be more restricted, sooner the better makes sense?

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Post  cyfrifia Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:44 pm

Rather comical scene described today when medics in ebola protection suits took a lady with a fever into a hospital in Lewisham to be tested. Patients fleeing in panic, waving arms and shouting "Ebola!", dragging drips and bandages behind them.

More or less the reaction you would expect though really.

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Post  Atlas Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:20 am

[Quote]Well, being human is better than spending all day either looking for food, or looking to not be food. Get it wrong and be eaten alive, or breed to much and starve to death. At least we've moved a couple of steps on from this. Not perfect but not like any other species. --

Some (far too many) of our species still have to do of the former and again the latter.

Our biggest danger to our species is 'us'. And the danger grows with each generation. Technology is fine - but who will win the race. Easter Island springs to mind. Exclamation Question Question Question
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Post  cyfrifia Tue Oct 28, 2014 4:08 pm

Easter island?

More is being learned about the ebola virus by scientists, which will hopefully help in preventing it's spread. It's found the virus can live on surfaces, door handles etc, for hours or weeks, depending on temperature etc. Just an item of information might be worth remembering at some point.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/ebola-can-live-on-surfaces-for-more-than-three-weeks-researchers-say/story-fn5fsgyc-1227105377072

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Post  Atlas Wed Oct 29, 2014 1:30 am

Yes. Easter Island. Populated by early humans of a Polynesian origin. Denuded of all trees and vegetation over a period of hundreds of years. The island grew richer and richer and more and more densely populated until the resources became grossly outmatched by the needs. Wars broke out. Thousands died. Eventually the island had to be abandoned - leaving behind only huge stone statues to mark the passings. What can happen to one island can happen to all - regardless of size. Ergo - technology may not answer all our needs in the final result and we may have to perish - unless there be somewhere else we can go and 'rape'. Twisted Evil Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes
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Post  cyfrifia Wed Oct 29, 2014 12:20 pm

Let the shipwrecks of others be your seamarks. Rolling Eyes

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