Topic for 9.30 - 11 am LEC on Sunday (24/8/2014) EBOLA Ebola is an illness in which the beginning symptoms can include a sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain and a sore throat. Later symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea and - in some cases - both internal and external bleeding. The current outbreak is the deadliest since Ebola was discovered in 1976. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the worlds deadliest to date and the World Health Organization has declared an international health emergency as more than 1,200 people have died of the virus in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria this year. The disease infects humans through close contact with infected animals, including monkeys, bats and antelope. It then spreads between humans by direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or organs, or indirectly through contact with contaminated environments. Even funerals of Ebola victims can be a risk, if the family or friends have direct contact with the body. This is a problem for many in the West African countries currently affected by Ebola, as their practices with religion and death involve close contact with the dead person. The incubation period can last from two days to three weeks, and diagnosis is difficult. The human disease has so far been mostly limited to Africa, although one strain has been found in the Philippines. Healthcare workers are at risk if they treat patients without taking the right precautions to avoid infection. Ebola has already claimed the lives of dozens of doctors and nurses. This has made it difficult on the health services of these West African states, which have long faced a shortage of doctors and hospitals. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: 1. How can we protect ourselves from Ebola? 2. Do you think Viet Nam is prepared in case of an outbreak? 3. What should we do if someone shows symptoms of Ebola? 4. What has the world done to deal with it? 5. Should people from West Africa be allowed to travel to other countries? 6. Do you know of any other past diseases that have been so dangerous? 7. What do you think about the doctors and nurses who are helping? 8. Do you think a similar disease could be the cause of the end of humans?
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 03:16:28 +0000
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