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The primary positive is that the disease has a very quick run from infection to visibly symptomatic to death. While long distance spread is still possible, mos
by abruzzi 12y ago
The primary positive is that the disease has a very quick run from infection to visibly symptomatic to death. While long distance spread is still possible, most outbreaks have been somewhat geographically contained because of this. The worst case scenario for deadly diseases is asymptomatic carriers, and I don't know if there is such a thing with ebola (except for the first few days of infection). It's why diseases like HIV have ultimately had greater impact. It can spread for years before anyone becomes symptomatic.
- timr 12y agoThe virus can take up to 21 days to become symptomatic. More worrisome is that it's been found in fluids up to 60 days post infection. If the flu can spread widely, so can this -- the main limits thus far have been that it doesn't spread via the air, and that it's been geographically isolated. You can't call this outbreak geographically isolated anymore. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/ http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/
- marvin 12y agoUnfortunately, this oft-repeated description is wrong. Ebola has a weeks-long incubation period and is contagious throughout most of the incubation period. Plenty of time to spread the virus before the host becomes symptomatic.
- zastavka 12y ago>and is contagious throughout most of the incubation period. Can you give a source for this?