Imagine a disease that was far more contagious than Ebola. Spread by prolonged casual exposure (i.e. just from sitting next to the person in school or at work). Imagine it had a fatality rate of 10-20%, with a very significant rate of severe illness, kidney failure, and even amputation of fingers or limbs amongst those it didnt kill. Imagine it affected about 2500 Americans every year. Wow, everyone would freak out about that wouldnt they? If there was a vaccine, wed insist everyone in the country, or at least school kids got the vaccine, wouldnt we? Well, guess what? Thats all real. Meningococcal disease affects about 2600 americans a year. Its common enough that there was a case in my office about 15 years ago (all exposed, even briefly, had to go on a course of antibiotics). Fortunately there is a vaccine, that works close to 100% to prevent it. While its required in this state for boarding school kids, not required for anyone else. The CDC recommends all kids get it at 11-12, then a booster 5 years later. Many parents, who refuse other vaccines, also refuse this. Not recommended (outside of very specific circumstances) for anyone else. Why? Because, even with 2600 cases a year, we know its exceedingly rare. Why the hue and cry over Ebola? Because its new and seems unknown. It comes from an area that is unknown and scary to many Americans. Remember, while it would be foolish to ignore Ebola totally, and reasonable preparations are certainly a good idea, we continue to be at TWO people infected in the US, with ZERO deaths from US caught cases.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:36:06 +0000
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