Statement of the Issue: There are many pressing health issues to be addressed in the upcoming election. In light of the recent Ebola outbreak, you will be expected to choose a position on this issue and a course of action. Ebola is a rare and deadly disease that originated in what is now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is caused by infection with one of the five Ebola species. It can be transmitted through blood or bodily fluids, objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus, infected fruit bats or primates. Symptoms of a person infected with the virus include fever, severe headache, fatigue, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding or bruising. Symptoms may appear anywhere form 2 to 21 days after exposure to the virus, and a person is …show more content…
That being said, according to scientific professionals, the actual virus does not pose much of a danger to Americans at the moment. Right now, U.S. citizens need to be educated about where the virus currently is and what they can do to prevent contracting it if they are traveling to West Africa. Those citizens who have been in contact with infected individuals need to know that they have support and the availability to quarantine for the first 21 days they are back in the country. Anybody, regardless of their citizenship, coming into this country through Newark airport should be educated about the disease, the symptoms and their options in regard to possible contraction. Enacting legislation to support a voluntary 21-day quarantine is in the best interest of our citizens. Making it optional and reiterating to the public the facts about the disease will lessen the hysteria surrounding the virus. Making sure that there are health services available to all people who may be infected and that all people know that the health services are there is