CONFIRMED Ebola case in Dallas

[Fern]

At this point I think it appears likely that we may Ebola coming here.

The incubation period is up to 21 days IIRC. That provides a lot of opportunity to travel and infect others.

Ebola mutates as it infects. Currently they don't believe the strains infecting humans can be transmitted respiratorily (they don't have evidence it can, they can't actually prove it can't). However, given the large number of infections and mutations the possibility of it becoming easier to spread exists. E.g., there is a strain infecting pigs and monkeys etc that can spread respiratorily. So, the possibility for the strain infecting humans would seem capable of such a mutation.

From what I've read things are out-of-control in West Africa. The CDC/WHO have said as much. If, as forecast, infection reaches 1.4 million by the end of the year I think it highly optimistic to feel confident it won't be able to find its way here. Fortunately we should have a vaccine available by then.

Fern

 

[Pens1566]

Just saw on cnbc that CDC confirmed the case as ebola.

 

[CaptnKirk]

preliminary report came in as 'Positive'. Announcement soon.
Maybe a false positive, but this will raise hell in airline travel.


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[fskimospy]

At this point I think it appears likely that we may Ebola coming here.

The incubation period is up to 21 days IIRC. That provides a lot of opportunity to travel and infect others.

People are not infectious during the incubation period.

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/faq-ebola/en/

Question 4

Ebola mutates as it infects. Currently they don't believe the strains infecting humans can be transmitted respiratorily (they don't have evidence it can, they can't actually prove it can't). However, given the large number of infections and mutations the possibility of it becoming easier to spread exists. E.g., there is a strain infecting pigs and monkeys etc that can spread respiratorily. So, the possibility for the strain infecting humans would seem capable of such a mutation.

You can never prove a negative, but all evidence points away from it being spread in that way among humans and experts believe the probability of such a mutation is low.

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/19/6543157/ebola-is-unlikely-to-go-airborne

 

[IronWing]

There's still time to get hysteria in before the facts are known. Don't be late!

The facts are in. It's ebola. Carry on.

 

[dmcowen674]

The facts are in. It's ebola. Carry on.

Well that's one way to try and stop the war with the rich but I believe it will actually accelerate the war.

 

[SlickSnake]

Easy man. You could hurt my feelings. I surrender. You definitely win this debate.

What a disingenuous, delusional response, considering you started throwing the insults. Besides, we all know that nobody can hurt you, because there is probably no feelings left inside to hurt.

And please stop projecting your idiotic self hate mantra on everyone else just for shits and giggles and take your own advice. You trolled that self hate schtick into the ground years ago around here.

You are probably the most bipolar poster on here, and that's saying a lot. And while one side of you is decent and occasionally insightful, the other side of you is pure self deprecating bull shit and I get tired of seeing you project that side on everyone else. Including me.

 

[Oldgamer]

So I guess we are headed for an epidemic in the US?

 

[fskimospy]

So I guess we are headed for an epidemic in the US?

Nope!

 

[brycejones]

So I guess we are headed for an epidemic in the US?

No, why would you think that?

 

[Fern]

People are not infectious during the incubation period.
-snip-

Yeah, I'm aware of that. I suppose my wording is not clear. 21 days allows sufficient time to travel and infect others in different countries. Better?

To put it another way: My understanding is that those with symptoms may be prevented from travel. A period of 21 days (infected but no symptoms) allows a great range of travel. So any thoughts that west Africa is so far away that no risk is posed to us is misguided IMO.

Fern

 

[SlickSnake]

I heard it was probably positive, too. This effects me directly, because I have to travel to D/FW airport a lot as well. The last thing I need is to catch this shit from something, when I have no fucking clue even where this infected patient was.

 

[Fern]

So I guess we are headed for an epidemic in the US?

It's unlikely unless it mutates into a respiratorily infectious state.

One of the major problems in the West African countries is our normal procedure for curtailing infections - quarantining the infected and those who've had close proximity to them - is damn near impossible there. They lack databases of names and addresses. I.e., the infected person can tell medical workers their name and even their family's name, but no database of names and addresses exists. Also, there is great mistrust and searches by medical workers for the family of the sick are rarely successful. No one will cooperate.

Under current conditions we'd be able to contain it fairly easily.

Fern

 

[SlickSnake]

And some of the news stories about Ebola in Africa right now are absolutely frightening. For every horrible story you read and see pics from, just imagine how many you aren't hearing about because everyone died, and there is nobody left to even tell what happened to them. Even journalists who tried to take precautions are literally dying with their cameras in their hands over there.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Unless someone came in contact with the man's bodily fluids there will be no further cases coming from his having the disease. I'm sure the hospital is taking all the proper precautions to prevent the spread like the other two cases that were treated in the US.

 

[dmcowen674]

It's unlikely unless it mutates into a respiratorily infectious state.

One of the major problems in the West African countries is our normal procedure for curtailing infections - quarantining the infected and those who've had close proximity to them - is damn near impossible there. They lack databases of names and addresses. I.e., the infected person can tell medical workers their name and even their family's name, but no database of names and addresses exists. Also, there is great mistrust and searches by medical workers for the family of the sick are rarely successful. No one will cooperate.

Under current conditions we'd be able to contain it fairly easily.

Fern

It's already had 3 weeks to run free here.

 

[Jaskalas]

People are not infectious during the incubation period.

That's an important aspect of this.

However, the people in that emergency room... could be looking at a small spread based around direct contact.

 

[Fern]

Unless someone came in contact with the man's bodily fluids there will be no further cases coming from his having the disease. I'm sure the hospital is taking all the proper precautions to prevent the spread like the other two cases that were treated in the US.

Saliva will spread it. Cough/sneeze in your hand and grab that doorknob to go into the restroom. Next guy grabs it then rubs his eyes or eats a snack he's holding in his hand etc. Next day he kisses his wife as he heads to work. Rinse, repeat.

With so many infected in West Africa I doubt transmission is as difficult as many seem to imply.

Fern

 

[SlickSnake]

Unless someone came in contact with the man's bodily fluids there will be no further cases coming from his having the disease. I'm sure the hospital is taking all the proper precautions to prevent the spread like the other two cases that were treated in the US.

Even If they were only sweating and running a fever, Ebola is secreted in sweat. And it can live on surfaces for extended periods of time. And it can live even longer on fabrics and textiles like clothing and blankets.

So, every single thing they touched, could have Ebola on it, literally. Door handles, railings, counters, chairs, the UPHOLSTERED SEAT THEY USED ON THE PLANE!!!

ANYTHING!

 

[MrPickins]

Forum trolls like yourself enjoy steering a thread completely off topic just to make an idiotic minor point that only a rabid troll even cares about, because it's all about what a smart ass you are, you selfie taking, cutie pie, you. Why not just stick to the topic for once. Talk about doubling down on the stupid.

Just admit you're wrong...


You've said before that you're gay, yet you're unaware that Austin is very liberal and has one the largest gay communities in the US? :hmm:



Back to the topic at hand: Have they determined whether the patient actually has ebola?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

The facts are in. It's ebola. Carry on.

At least it's not lupus.

 

[Pens1566]

Just admit you're wrong...


You've said before that you're gay, yet you're unaware that Austin is very liberal and has one the largest gay communities in the US? :hmm:



Back to the topic at hand: Have they determined whether the patient actually has ebola?

Yes. Sample sent to CDC and CDC confirmed it was positive.

 

[Attic]

Worst case scenario, USA attains a population of 150 million.

Worst case???....


Or Best Case!?

 

[MrPickins]

Yes. Sample sent to CDC and CDC confirmed it was positive.

Thanks for the update.

I wonder if I should be worried about the guy I just heard violently vomiting in the bathroom at work.

 

[PottedMeat]

wheeeee all over the local news


...nobody's trying to stir shit up by saying 'what if he went to the state fair'