Thoughts On Ebola

Many have asked for my views on the Ebola, so I'll share a few thoughts here.

My understanding is that Ebola is more transmittable than most world health authorities are generally leading people to believe.

It's true that the current form of the Ebola virus is not airborne, which is to say that the Ebola virus isn't capable of traveling through the air without fluid encasing it.

Chickenpox and tuberculosis are examples of airborne germs that are capable of traveling through the air from one person to another without transfer of body fluids. Put another way, airborne germs travel from the lungs of one person to the lungs of another without exchange of blood, sweat, or other body fluids.

The point that isn't being made strongly enough is that the Ebola virus counts as a droplet-borne disease. Droplets of secretions that are generated with coughing, sneezing, vomiting, and even some routine medical procedures that are done around the upper respiratory tract can transmit the Ebola virus.

These droplets of secretions that contain the Ebola virus can infect someone nearby if the droplets come into contact with any of their mucosal linings, like those that protect the eyes, nasal passageway, and oral cavity.

So if you are within several feet of someone who is infected with the Ebola virus, even if there is no exchange of body fluids, it is possible for you to become infected if that person releases enough droplets of virus via secretions that occur with coughing, sneezing, and other involuntary contractions around the upper respiratory area.

The latest data indicates that approximately 70 percent of infected people are dying. This is confirmation of how debilitating the Ebola virus can be, but it is also confirmation that even if infected, some people are capable of recovering.

My opinion is that in coming weeks, more infections will be confirmed in multiple countries.

We can only hope that the CDC and their counterparts in other countries will be able to contain confirmed infections, and that enough support will be given to those areas within Africa that are being devastated right now. With enough supplies and trained response teams, even hardest hit areas should be able to prevent this outbreak from killing many millions - the current goal is to safely bury 70 percent of those who have died from Ebola and isolate and treat 70 percent of those who are fighting infections, all within the next 60 days.

For those who are lucky to be living in areas that have not yet been touched by Ebola, here are some points on prevention to keep in mind until the current outbreak is clearly contained:

1. If at all possible, avoid airplane travel.

2. Ensure optimal vitamin D status.

3. Eat foods that are rich in vitamin C.

4. Be mindful of washing your hands with soap and warm or
   hot water on a regular basis.

5. Be well rested.

I don't believe there is much else that we can do to minimize risk of infection, not unless we want to stockpile enough food and water to last until Ebola goes away, and stay in our homes until then.

Unless you are living in an area where new infections are being confirmed every day, I don't think you need to fear going about your regular activities.

That is all I have to say about Ebola for now. Let's hope that things change for the better soon.