Qui vive

EVEN the United States, home of one of the best health cares system in the world, is not immune to the deadly Ebola virus, despite prior efforts to block the disease from entering the country.
Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian national who came to America to attend his son’s graduation, experienced symptoms of Ebola five days after he arrived in Dallas. During the second week of observation, he was released by the hospital.
According to reports, Duncan continued experiencing fever and abdominal pains even after his release that caused his relatives to send him back to the hospital. He died eight days after his diagnosis.
Duncan’s death was criticized following the late diagnosis, which allowed him to interact with other people. Over 10 people who had direct contact with him are now under observation.
The US increased its security measures for passengers entering the country, especially those who came from areas affected by Ebola. Some are even suggesting that travelers coming  Ebola-stricken countries should be barred from the US. However, considering Duncan’s itinerary, which had a connecting flight from Liberia to Europe, the idea proposed is not feasible.
How will the Philippines resist the spread of Ebola?
On Thursday, Oct. 9, the county’s Department of Health (DOH) recently held a summit to address the country’s preparedness in case Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) enters.
“There has been growing concern over the Ebola virus so the DOH has decided to gather concerned private organizations and government agencies through a summit,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.
The health secretary declared that the Philippines remains Ebola-free, but stressed that the country is prepared with a multi-sectoral response plan.
Meanwhile, DOH Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag who is also chief of the National Epidimiology Center tweeted that “it is just a matter of time when #PH reports its first #Ebola case #1PHAgainstebola.”
Tayag had a series of tweets causing alarm to netizens, including “Outbreak countermeasures that exist today are not enough to contain #ebola #1PHAgainstebola,” and “One way to face the enemy is to know the enemy and snap it at its source Same for #ebola #1PHAgainstebola.”
Though neither a certified cure nor vaccine against the virus exist, precautionary measures like reading articles, keeping up to date with the news and listening to experts about the sources, nature and symptoms of the disease are the least that an individual can do to stay alert.
The government, on the other hand, must have a continuous information campaign regarding Ebola while heightening security measures against people entering every single port in the country, regardless of where they came from.
As always, prevention is better than cure.
(AJPress)