Ebola Outbreak

By Shanna Little, Growl Co-Editor

No need to worry, students! The Ebola outbreak is currently having its effect in West Africa, and isn’t expected to make its way to us. However, Dr. Christopher Dye, the director of strategy in the office of the director general at the World Health Organization, did tell BBC that they “are quite worried...about the latest data.” This data shows that the there is a surge of new cases and deaths. Where did this horrific tragedy begin? The answer is in Gueckedou, Guinea.

Ebola is thought to come from fruit bats, meaning that humans are not its preferred host. But like HIV and influenza, Ebola’s genetic code is a strand of RNA. Think of RNA as the less stable cousin of DNA, which is where we keep our genetic information. What does this mean? It means that the Ebola virus has a high rate of mutation, and with mutation comes the possibility of adaptation.

We need to keep in mind that this disease is transferred through bodily fluids. So, even though it is unlikely that it will make its way to America, we should all practice good hygiene as a precaution. This means that we wash our hands and dispose of our dirty tissues properly. Also, since the winter season is coming up, it would be smart to cover our mouths when we sneeze and cough. This is not only a preventative measure, but a common courtesy. There will be more to come on this story as we continue our school year.

#outsidetheboot #shannalittle #ebola