Ebola Virus Outbreak

Ebola Virus Breakout

EBOLA VIRUS BREAKOUT 4 BREAKOUT OF EBOLA VIRUS IN AFRICA COUNTRIES ()   BREAKOUT OF EBOLA VIRUS IN AFRICA COUNTRIES (. Introduction The world health organization reported the cases of EBOLA virus back in 2014 from forested region of Guinea, this ruler region was the first to report the largest and most terrorizing Ebola virus breakout in the history of humanity. This virus is also spread to other African countries and became one of the deadliest in the world. West African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia, have seen one of the History’s most traumatized virus outbreak. These countries are considered one of the highest populated and poor countries in Africa.

Though African countries faced Ebola virus before but this outbreak take over 1500 lives. Therefore this paper will analyze the Ebola Virus Breakout of 2014. The Ebola Virus does appear after this massive breakout but the less intensity. Following are the insight of this terrifying outbreak in which the reasons of this huge spread will be discussed. 2. The Deadly Virus Ebola Virus is the very rare but it is considered as the deadliest virus. After entering in the body this virus damages immune system, it make cell if the body explode, which results in heavy bleeding, it attacks on the organ cells and damages the organs as well. This cause bleeding in the body and a person dies. This virus previously called as hemorrhagic fever but its now known as Ebola virus. Ebola is contagious but quite less than colds and influenza etc.

Ebola spread with the contact of body fluids and touch or from any infected animal, the animal spread was a major reason of 2014 Ebola spread. Ebola is not spread via air water or food. The transmission of blood or anybody fluid of contaminated person spread this deadly virus. These include people who care for the patient the most. Ebola virus kills 90 percent of contaminated people.

3. Background Ebola first casualty was a little tyke in Guinea, individuals think it is typical the runs case, however after the tyke there were couple of more instances of this the runs, the experts pay heed and after tests yet they didn't recognize the ailments. The unfortunate incident could not stop spreading at it reach to capital city of Guinea, the health ministry declared the virus unidentified illness which triggered WHO to take responsibility, soon it was identified and after almost 30 deaths WHO declared it an outbreak. The victims increased over time and Ebola spread to the bordering countries Serra Leone and Liberia and all countries were majorly affected by virus (CDC, 2018). The spread of virus in urban areas leads to massive outbreak because population in the areas is a lot.

In August of 2014 WHO declared it public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). PHEIC is designed by WO for the very purpose if there is outbreak of international concern. Ebola later spread quickly through to a few more nations including Italy, United Kingdom, United States, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and the Spain. This huge breakout calls for crisis and specialists from everywhere throughout the world joined to battle Ebola (CDC, 2018).

4. Massive Spread and Treatment Since the countries are one of the most deprived countries in terms of social capital, these countries lack proper health care system. The infrastructure is almost unavailable that in the first initial weeks, Ebola virus was not even identified. After the spread of Ebola government didn't have legitimate gear, restorative staff and even information to treat or separate Ebola patients. The restorative social insurance specialists in these nations are around 1 to 100,000 with the spread of Ebola these laborers likewise get tainted which additionally cause the spread of Ebola. The governments of these countries initially didn’t recognize the magnitude of spread, they didn’t educate or inform people how to remain safe from Ebola and which practices they must avoid completely.

The information and reaching out to people should be the most important factor to stop Ebola. The governments didn’t inform masses but World Health Organization (WHO) also didn’t declare it a global emergency until august, the initial six months were spend in identifying the virus. However, later WHO request other nations to participate and help in stopping the virus at initial stage. Though several countries send medical teams, equipment’ and other support but at that time the virus outbreak become epidemic (WHO, 2018). This outbreak of Ebola was different from the previous outbreaks, experienced by several countries of Africa because Ebola this time hit the most populated cities, previously there were few cases in apparently isolated places from the region.

This Ebola outburst was in border area of three countries and spread massively to these countries. It was difficult to isolate infected in high dense populated areas. The lack of education and neighborhood treatment hones, self-drug and otherworldly medicines with no safety measure irritate the spread further. Anyway a standout amongst the most rash practice that is been trailed by individuals which spread this infection the most is memorial service rehearses in this area, individuals as opposed to confining dead bodies, they begin to wash and them and spend a few evenings so as to get otherworldly powers. This was the major cause of the spread of Ebola in these countries.

Compare to 1970’s the traveling is easy the few cases that appeared in other countries are due air travels recorded during Ebola outbreak (WHO, 2016). How Ebola spread in African countries is a prime example of mismanagement, illiteracy and unavailability of medical care that the people were able to receive in the past. As we are now aware this is a very wide spread problem that this is not just known to be a problem of African countries, which the world would not be able to stand another outbreak like Ebola. Therefore there is alarming need awareness among countries its populations about these deadly viruses, also WHO should enforce countries to adopt several health care measures in order give people better living and to save populations from these kind of epidemic tragedies.

There are several countries in which was found that suffered from the Ebola virus which is listed in the following table that also shows the data of the vast amount of p and their deaths in Ebola outbreak of 2014. Countries with Widespread Transmission and other Countries Affected During the Epidemic Country Total Cases (Suspected, Probable, Confirmed) Laboratory Confirmed Cases Total Deaths Countries with Widespread Transmission Guinea 3,,,544 Liberia 10,,,810 Sierra Leone 14,,,956 Affected Countries Italy Mali Nigeria Senegal Spain United Kingdom United States 4* Total 28,,,325 The Data is taken from (CDC, 2018) The various patients in United States and furthermore interchange countries were spoiled in the countries recorded above in perspective of their appearance in the midst of reached out with help gatherings yet got debased.

A significant number of help colleagues kicked the bucket amid the obligations. Gradually WHO defeat Ebola spread and infection and numerous nations’ progress toward becoming Ebola free however even in 2018 Ebola still show up and take few lives. After this breakout there must be standard of medicinal services worldwide to keep away from these injuries. References WHO, (2018), ‘Origins of Ebola Epidemic’ retrieve from CDC (2018), ‘Ebola outbreak in West Africa’ retrieve from WHO (2016), ‘EBOLA VIRUS Situation Report†retrieve from THEMES AND QUESTIONS SURROUNDING CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2 Themes and Questions Surrounding Childhood Obesity Daysha Snipes South University Themes and Questions Surrounding Childhood Obesity The problem of childhood obesity continues to raise discussions on its cause and the best approach that can be implemented to bring an end to the problem. Numerous research has been conducted about the topic with experts calling for a lifestyle change and appropriate physical exercise. The major themes surrounding this topic is how the feeding habits of children lead to obesity and the contribution of parents towards the problem. It has been established that bottle feeding is the leading cause of obesity. Researchers have advocated for breastfeeding as the alternative to the issue. These questions raised have seen researching conducting studies to understand the issue fully. Epidemiological Methods Epidemiological methods vary based on the kind of disease or health problem under investigation. For the case of childhood obesity, the health problem is concerned with the cause and effect relationship. In this case, the analytical epidemiological method will be appropriate as it will seek to incorporate data from different types of study (Woodward, 2013). The incorporation of data will provide an opportunity to compare and make conclusions about child obesity. Techniques The technique that will be sued for this study is descriptive. The narrative technique helps to document childhood obesity based on its occurrence, time, place, and the person. Under this technique, the main focus would be to collect information from different sources relating to the age of the children affected, how it occurs, gender and the location where there is a higher prevalence. Approach The approach to this study would be cross-sectional such that it would analyze exposure and health standards (Page et al., 2016). The approach provides a multidimensional perspective of analyzing the problem with the aim of expanding the scope of understanding as well as improving the research design. Data Collection The data collection for this study will rely on both primary and secondary sources. Past research would be used to give the background of the study as well as making an argument for the current study. Primary data can be collected from the sample size and later analyzed for comparison with past findings of other researchers (Woodward, 2013). The data collected will be both quantitative and qualitative and different approaches such as the use of questionnaires will be employed. Statistical Measures Numerous statistical measures can be used for this research, but ratios and rates will be appropriate. Since the variables can be analyzed based on gender and age, the use of ratios will be appropriate for this kind of research. Analysis The analysis of data will rely on statistical models of comparison. Regression analysis as person correlation coefficient will be used for the analysis of the data (Page et al., 2016). The outcome of the analysis will then be used to explain the hypothesis, and the research questions developed. Literature Review A lot of research is available on the topic of childhood obesity. Different authors have researched this issue while investigating different phenomenon about childhood obesity. Sahoo et al. (2015) in their research sought to uncover the causes and consequences of childhood obesity. The findings of this research represent the discussion presented before and provides a background of understanding the cause and effect of the issue in this new study. Wang et al. (2013) in their research investigated the prevention programs concerning their effectiveness in preventing childhood obesity. The findings of the research are crucial in the analysis of existing programs as well as giving future direction in policy. Cunningham, Kramer & Narayan (2014) investigated the incidence of childhood obesity with the findings uncovering the group of children at risk of childhood obesity and the environmental factors that lead to such incidence. Other authors have also investigated different issues relating to childhood obesity which will be crucial in understanding this problem as well as developing better solutions of preventing the spread and incidence as well as helping children already living with obesity. Contributions to Public Health The purpose of public health is to help in disease prevention by promoting good health practices. The findings from this research will provide recommendations to public health officials. The contribution can further be directed toward formulating policies that would help reduce the incidence of childhood obesity. The other focus would be on providing the right education and training to families and the public on the best nutrition that should be provided to children to reduce the risk of childhood obesity. Problems · Do different lifestyles during pregnancy play a role in childhood obesity once children are born? · What nutritional practices exposes children to the risk of overweight and subsequent childhood obesity? · Will policy formulation and implementation be the lasting solution to childhood obesity? Epidemiologic Study Type A cross-sectional study will be appropriate for this topic as it provides diversity in researching and analyzing the problem (Page et al., 2016). Childhood obesity is a multidimensional problem that requires a multidimensional approach to understand and address existing problems fully. Outcomes and Results The outcome of this study would be to understand the role of lifestyle during pregnancy in childhood obesity as well as nutrition during the early stages of childhood. The results from this study will point out the leading role of different lifestyles such as eating habits of a pregnant mother towards obesity of the unborn children. The results will further show that poor nutritional practices such as denying children the right to breastfeed for at least six months contribute to obesity. Besides, the analysis of all these issues will point out to general policy formulation and implementation as the solution to the underlying problems. References Cunningham, S. A., Kramer, M. R., & Narayan, K. V. (2014). Incidence of childhood obesity in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine , 370 (5), . PLoS medicine , 13 (5), e. Sahoo, K., Sahoo, B., Choudhury, A. K., Sofi, N. Y., Kumar, R., & Bhadoria, A. S. (2015). Childhood obesity: causes and consequences. Journal of family medicine and primary care , 4 (2), 187. Wang, Y., Wu, Y., Wilson, R. F., Bleich, S., Cheskin, L., Weston, C., ... & Segal, J. (2013). Childhood obesity prevention programs: comparative effectiveness review and meta-analysis. Woodward, M. (2013). Epidemiology: study design and data analysis . Chapman and Hall/CRC.

Paper For Above instruction

The Ebola virus outbreak of 2014 in West Africa stands as one of the most devastating public health crises in recent history, marking a significant chapter in global infectious disease management. This outbreak, primarily affecting Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, was characterized by unprecedented spread, high mortality rates, and systemic failures in public health response. Analyzing this outbreak reveals crucial insights into virus transmission, healthcare infrastructure deficiencies, international response protocols, and lessons for future epidemic preparedness.

Introduction and Background

In March 2014, reports emerged of an unusual disease outbreak in the forested regions of Guinea. Initially mistaken for common ailments such as malaria or seasonal flu, the outbreak rapidly escalated as symptoms worsened and fatalities increased. The World Health Organization (WHO) was alerted, and the epidemiological mystery soon unfolded—the causative agent was identified as the Ebola virus, a highly lethal filovirus known for causing hemorrhagic fever. Prior to this incident, Ebola outbreaks were sporadic and contained within isolated rural areas, but the 2014 epidemic was distinguished by its widespread urban transmission and remarkable scale.

This outbreak resulted in over 28,000 cases and nearly 11,000 deaths, highlighting its profound health, economic, and social impacts. Its spread across borders to countries like Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, and even imported cases in Spain, the United States, and Europe underscores the critical importance of global health vigilance and rapid response mechanisms.

Propagation and Factors Contributing to Rapid Spread

The outbreak’s rapid expansion stemmed from multiple interconnected factors. First, the initial misidentification and delayed response allowed the virus to entrench itself within communities. Local health systems were ill-equipped, lacking sufficient diagnostic tools, trained personnel, or infrastructure for effective containment. In Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, inadequate healthcare facilities hampered efforts to isolate and treat infected individuals, fostering community transmission.

Furthermore, cultural practices, particularly funeral rites involving washing and handling of deceased bodies, played a pivotal role in virus transmission. Traditional burial practices often conflicted with biomedical containment strategies, leading to additional exposure among family and community members. The highly contagious nature of Ebola, transmitted through contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, and other secretions, facilitated the virus's aggressive spread during this period. Mobility and cross-border travel also exacerbated transmission, especially in regions with porous borders and limited surveillance.

Healthcare Infrastructure and Response Challenges

The epidemic exposed profound weaknesses in healthcare systems across West Africa. Critical shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), inadequate training among healthcare workers, and insufficient hospital facilities hampered containment efforts. The health workforce was overwhelmed; estimates suggested one doctor or nurse per 100,000 population in the hardest-hit areas—a stark contrast to global standards.

Compounding these issues was the social stigma attached to Ebola, which discouraged community cooperation and hindered contact tracing efforts. Early phases of the outbreak saw widespread misinformation, denial, and distrust in authorities, delaying the deployment of containment measures. International aid response was initially slow, with delays in mobilizing sufficient medical teams, supplies, and resources such as quarantine centers and safe burial teams.

International and Governmental Response

As the scope of the outbreak became evident, the WHO declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in August 2014. This action aimed to galvanize international cooperation and resource mobilization. Multiple countries contributed healthcare personnel, logistical support, and funding to curb the epidemic. The United States and European nations deployed specialized medical teams and established treatment centers. Despite these efforts, the response faced criticisms for delays, coordination challenges, and insufficient local engagement.

Strategies implemented included establishing treatment units, community engagement programs, contact tracing, and public education campaigns. Innovative interventions such as mobile labs and Ebola-specific diagnostic tools were introduced. Nevertheless, by the time comprehensive actions took hold, the virus had already caused significant socio-economic disruption and loss of life.

Lessons Learned and Future Preparedness

The 2014 Ebola outbreak underscored the necessity of robust health systems, rapid response capabilities, and international cooperation. It highlighted how systemic deficiencies—such as poor disease surveillance, inadequate healthcare workforce, and cultural insensitivity—can accelerate virus transmission. Key lessons include the importance of community engagement, transparent communication, and timely deployment of resources.

Subsequent measures have included developing specialized epidemic preparedness plans, strengthening health infrastructure, and establishing rapid response teams. The outbreak prompted reforms within the WHO and global health security frameworks, emphasizing early warning systems and cross-border coordination.

In conclusion, the 2014 Ebola epidemic serves as a stark reminder of the global vulnerability to emerging infectious diseases. Addressing systemic weaknesses, fostering international partnerships, and promoting community awareness are vital in preventing future crises and ensuring swift containment should outbreaks occur again.

References

• World Health Organization (2018). Origins of Ebola Epidemic. WHO Reports.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018). Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
• WHO (2016). Ebola situation report. WHO Ebola Response Team.
• Shultz, J. M., et al. (2016). The Ebola outbreak response: Lessons learned. The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
• U.K. Department of Health and Social Care. (2015). Lessons from West Africa Ebola epidemic.
• Fauci, A. S. (2014). The pathogenesis of Ebola virus disease. New England Journal of Medicine.
• Baize, S., et al. (2014). Emergence of Zaire