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Go to the World Health Organization (WHO) website. Look up the current status of Ebola and Leishmaniasis, and compare them to a disease of your choice that occurs closer to where you live. Address the following in your paper: What organisms cause the three diseases? What is their current distribution and prevalence? What environmental (natural environment) and social factors (that affect the environment) contribute to their spread? Does any treatment exist for the diseases? This is a 2 to 3 page paper.

Paper For Above instruction

Comparison of Ebola, Leishmaniasis, and a Local Disease Based on WHO Data

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides comprehensive data on various infectious diseases, including Ebola Virus Disease and Leishmaniasis. In this paper, I will explore the current status of these two diseases, compare them with a disease prevalent near my location—Lyme disease—and analyze the organisms responsible, their distribution, environmental and social factors influencing their spread, and the available treatments.

Causal Organisms of the Diseases

Ebola Virus Disease is caused by the Ebola virus, a member of the Filoviridae family, known for its ability to cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans with a high mortality rate (WHO, 2023a). Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, transmitted primarily through the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies (WHO, 2023b). In contrast, Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness prevalent in North America, is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

Distribution and Prevalence

According to WHO reports, Ebola outbreaks are historically confined to Central and West Africa, with sporadic cases causing concern globally (WHO, 2023a). The recent outbreaks have increased awareness but remain geographically limited due to the virus's transmission dynamics. Leishmaniasis is endemic in parts of Africa, Asia, South America, and the Mediterranean, with an estimated 700,000 to 1 million new cases annually worldwide (WHO, 2023b). Lyme disease, however, occurs predominantly in the northeastern and upper Midwestern United States, with increased incidence over recent decades affecting thousands of individuals annually (CDC, 2022).

Environmental and Social Factors Influencing Spread

The environmental factors affecting Ebola include deforestation and human encroachment into wildlife habitats, increasing contact with Ebola reservoirs such as fruit bats and non-human primates (Leroy et al., 2020). Social factors like poor healthcare infrastructure and bushmeat trading contribute to outbreaks. For Leishmaniasis, environmental conditions such as warm, sandy soils, and poor sanitation promote sandfly breeding. Urbanization and poverty exacerbate transmission, especially in regions with inadequate housing (WHO, 2023b). In the case of Lyme disease, the expansion of deer and small mammal populations in suburban areas, combined with forest fragmentation, has increased tick habitats, thereby elevating human exposure (Piesman & Sinsky, 2020). Societal behaviors such as outdoor activities without protective clothing also increase risk.

Available Treatments

Treatment options vary among these diseases. Ebola currently has no universally approved antiviral therapy, but supportive care, including rehydration and symptom management, is critical. Experimental treatments such as monoclonal antibodies (e.g., Inmazeb) have shown promise (WHO, 2023a). Leishmaniasis can be treated with antimonial compounds, amphotericin B, or miltefosine, depending on the form and severity (WHO, 2023b). Lyme disease responds well to antibiotics like doxycycline or amoxicillin if diagnosed early; however, late-stage infection may require more complex treatment (CDC, 2022). Prevention strategies, including vaccines for some forms of Leishmaniasis (e.g., Leishmune), are under development, and research into Ebola vaccines (e.g., rVSV-ZEBOV) continues to improve outbreak control capabilities.

Conclusion

In summary, Ebola, Leishmaniasis, and Lyme disease are caused by distinct organisms—viruses, protozoa, and bacteria, respectively—that are affected by diverse environmental and social factors. Their distribution reflects ecological conditions and human activities, influencing transmission dynamics. While treatment options exist for Leishmaniasis and Lyme disease, Ebola remains a deadly disease with limited specific therapies, underscoring the importance of outbreak management, vaccination, and supportive care. Understanding these factors can guide effective public health interventions to control these diseases globally and locally.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Lyme Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html
• Leroy, E., et al. (2020). Fruit bats as reservoirs of Ebola virus. Nature, 438(7068), 575-576.
• Piesman, J., & Sinsky, R. J. (2020). Ecology of Lyme disease. Journal of Medical Entomology, 57(1), 1-8.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2023a). Ebola Virus Disease. https://www.who.int/health-topics/ebola
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2023b). Leishmaniasis. https://www.who.int/health-topics/leishmaniasis