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Origin and Spread Ebola
Background
According to WHO, Ebola which is a serious, acute illness if untreated is very fatal (WHO.Int). Ebola virus disease first appearance was in two simultaneous outbreaks back in 1976. One was in Yambuku in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the other in Nzara, Sudan. The name Ebola sprout from Yambuku neighbors a river known as Ebola River. In 2014, the first case was notified in March which is the most recent and is still a current outbreak in the West of Africa. Ideally, this is the most complex and largest Ebola outbreak since the 1976 first appearance. The numbers of deaths are the highest (WHO.Int). The spread began in Guinea before spreading to the bordering nations including Liberia and Sierra Leone, then to Nigeria through one traveller on air, and to Senegal through on traveller on land.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever also the Ebola virus disease or simply Ebola is a disease of primates including humans whose cause is Ebola viruses. Fever, headaches, muscle pain and sore throats are the initial signs and symptoms that develop between two days and three weeks upon contracting the virus. Decreased function of the kidney and liver then follow in addition to rash, diarrhea and vomiting. At this time, it is likely to observe both external and internal bleeding. The risk of death in relation to Ebola is significantly high. Killings between 25% and 90% are recorded of those infected which extends to average at 50% (Prevention CDC). The reason is that, there is significantly low blood pressure from loss of fluids. Upon the appearance of the symptoms, the deaths typically follow in 6-16 days.
Ebola Causes
The major Ebola viruses that in humans are five, namely; Sudan Virus(SUDV), Zaire Ebola Virus(EBOV), Reston Virus(RESTV), Tai Forest Virus(TAFV) and the Bundibugyo Virus(BDBV). Zaire Ebola Virus is the virus responsible for most outbreaks including the events in West Africa. The Reston Virus on the other hand is thought to only cause the disease in other primates and not in humans (Prevention CDC). The viruses listed have a close relation with Marburg viruses.
Scientists believe that, the hosts of Ebola are bats of the Pteropodidae family and especially the fruit bat. The disease gets to the human race through organs, secretions, and other bodily fluids including blood of animals such as fruit bats, monkeys, porcupines, chimpanzees and forest antelopes coming into direct contact. These animals are common to find either dead or alive in the rain forests. The transmission of the disease has been a growing concern amongst people especially with caution due to the outbreak in West Africa. The only way in which Ebola can be spread between people is when one comes into direct contact with the body fluids or blood of an individual who has already developed the disease’s symptoms.
In treating patients who have either been confirmed or are suspected of having the Ebola Virus Disease, many health-care workers have been infected with the disease. This especially occurs when there is failure in sticking to the strict policies and practices in getting close contact with the patients. It is critical to note that Ebola could be transmitted to mourners when their contact with the dead body is direct. Individuals’ infectious nature still remains as the body fluids such as breast milk and semen still contain the virus.
The cases of airborne transmission are yet to be authenticated. In the outbreaks, the airborne transmission has been recorded in strict conditions in the laboratory in which the virus has been spread from pigs to primates. The case of primate to primate has not been observed. Mosquitoes, other insects, water and food other than bush meat have not recorded transmission of the Ebola virus. The airborne transmission between humans has not been common as the humans record low levels of the virus in the respiratory system and more so the lungs. The bottom line in the cause is that, contact is the main contributor of the transmission.
Currently, WHO reports that the Ebola reported deaths stands at 6,678 as of 6th December. The reported cases are 17,834. It was that the numbers may keep rising as the month progresses especially in the month of December. That then poses a question as to why it has been so difficult to control and prevent further transmissions. The cause of this is that the affected nations have expressed difficulties in controlling the epidemic. The reasons are the protests by the people towards the government and hospitals, high poverty levels thus limited access to running water and soap, reliance on cultural practices and traditional medicine, and less equipped and poorly organized health care systems.
Consequences of Ebola
The deaths, travel advisory barriers and warnings to affected nations, quarantines, tension and fear are some of the direct consequences that have been observed. However, there are key concerns that still exist. For that case, it would be critical to identify and analyze some of them. To begin with, it would be strategic to consider the impact and the price that the children in West Africa have had to pay.
Unicef notes that, one-fifth of the 14,000 Ebola victims are children. The statistics do not end there. The issue of losing their parents, school cancellations, stigmatization and daily lives disruptions have all bombarded their lives (SAPA). They are surrounded by death and thus their lives have been turned upside down. Some children are held up in quarantine centers where they have absolutely no idea whether their parents are alive. In Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone more than five million children are not in school in addition to the fact that they are not allowed to play outside. That is a dull lifestyle especially at their age in which their academic life will be delayed and their health affected negatively. Further still, the affected countries have shifted their focus towards the Ebola epidemic. Therefore the health system have recorded dramatic drop in relation to the immunization services for the children. The Malaria cases in the region have also increased which means the children are faced by massive troubles and concerns (SAPA).
Travel advisories and quarantines have been lifted. While this is a preventive measure, there have been positive and negative impacts. For instance, there has been control in airports where individuals diagnosed with Ebola have been identified and the prevention of spread has been successful (Kaplan). To a larger extent, the travel advisories are not taken well especially by the African nations. The West and mostly the US has been advising the citizens on precautions when visiting most countries and has progressed to mentions nations such as Tanzania and Kenya which have recorded no incidence of Ebola. Such nations have responded angrily mostly highlighting misinforming and introduction of unnecessarily threats and tension. Further still, the individuals leaving the affected nations have had to be tested and quarantined in their next destinations especially through air travel. There are cases in which, the health care persons upon returning to their nations expect to be treated passionately for their heroic works in West Africa. That is not the case however; they are quarantined and spend some time in the quarantine area. To them, they expect respect for the hard work that they have put and their defense for humanity (Kaplan).
The economic aspect of West Africa has paid a great deal in relation to Ebola. Most hotel rooms are empty, the game and tents lay. The lions and the elephants have no tourists to pay them a visit. The tour operators across Africa have thus been the biggest droppers in business for as long as they can remember. Several European and American tour agents have quit offering the services to Africa (The Economist). The decreased tourist attraction has extended from West Africa to South Africa, Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania. Ideally it is critical to note that most West Africa links to Europe through their massive airlines in addition to the aspect of close proximity. The airlines have all suspended their flights until there are correctional measures to attend to Ebola. No one predicts when the malady will be overcome. The epidemic which is surrounded with massive ignorance will affect the tourism industry wish is valued at $170 billion yearly (The Economist). It is an epidemic ignorance to an extent that some African nations such as Morocco declined to host the 2015 African Cup of Nations for the fear of Ebola introduction in their nations. Tourism and Football are great assets in Africa, when impacted upon; there will be massive economic drifts.
The current global concern on Ebola outbreak in West Africa is in the fifth month and the consequences keep on escalating. Director-General Margaret Chan, WHO, warned that the outbreak has been moving a bit faster in comparison to the control efforts (McKay). She added that, if the situation deteriorates even further catastrophic consequences that include socioeconomic disruption, high risk of spread to other countries as well as multiple deaths will be noted. People in the affected nations who have been victims either directly or indirectly have made reporting impossible. They mostly do not report the cases for the fear of being quarantined (McKay). They prefer home care where they access their loved ones in the last days of their lives. That is a massive challenge that the governments have to dig into.
Conclusion
The treatments including vaccines against Ebola are yet to be established fully. Currently, most activities target to contain and control the Ebola cases. The approach seeks to eliminate and minimize the spread and thus the deaths. There should be an integrated international response in fighting the disease. Contact tracing and surveillance will minimize spread through early and correct diagnosis. Every one person who gets to contact with the virus would thus be noted. In addition, there should be investment both in time and finances towards community awareness. For this, the protective measures at individual levels should be highlighted. Lessons such as washing hands with soap are some of the lessons that should be taught. The safety and preventive practices to health workers should be practiced keenly and developed strategically.

Work Cited
Kaplan, Rebecca. 'NIH Expert Warns Of "Negative" Consequences From Ebola Quarantines'. Cbsnews.com. N.p., 2014. Web. 9 Dec. 2014. 9 Dec. 2014. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nih-expert-warns-of-negative-consequences-from-ebola-quarantines/
McKay, Betsy. 'WHO Warns Of 'Catastrophic' Consequences Of Ebola'. WSJ. N.p., 2014. Web. http://www.wsj.com/articles/who-warns-of-catastrophic-consequences-of-ebola-1406903897
Prevention, Centers. 'Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever | CDC'. Cdc.gov. N.p., 2014. Web. 9 Dec. 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/
SAPA,. 'UN: Indirect Consequences Of Ebola Strongly Affect Children'. News24. N.p., 2014. Web. 9 Dec. 2014. http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/UN-Indirect-consequences-of-Ebola-strongly-affect-children-20141104
The Economist,. 'The Ignorance Epidemic'. The Economist. N.p., 2014. Web. 9 Dec. 2014. www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21632641-virus-claiming-new-victimsafrican-tourism-and-football-ignorance
Who.int,. 'WHO | Ebola Virus Disease'. N.p., 2014. Web. 9 Dec. 2014. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/