Ebola

[Workingman]

We did send out a group of NHS staff to help control the virus, Kate, and I am sure that some of them will get infected and need to be repatriated, but very few in numbers.

The vast majority on those becoming infected are locals in remote villages on a few $ a day. They are not going to jump on a plane to the UK any time soon.

[victor]

the thing that i wonder about is-

as it is an airborne virus ,how are volunteers in full protective suits catching it? nobody on news programmes seems to ask this

[Workingman]

That's because it is NOT an airborne virus. It is a contact virus via bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, faeces, sweat, blood and sexual activity.

[Diflower]

The main news on Tv I see is BBC breakfast and actually that's been pretty informative - as in, no, I'm not the slightest bit worried that we're about to have any kind of epidemic here, and so long as the current outbreak is properly addressed it will peter out

[KateLMead]

Well we have varied opinions, I am not convinced either way. One really hopes the
patient in the Royal Free recovers, it's very courageous to risk ones life in these countries as so many do caring for
those suffering with disease and starvation.

[victor]

apologies WM,typo error-meant to say -as it's not an airborne virus,how are suited up medical workers catvhing it?

[Kaz]

You do wonder, I know I have

[debih]

It seems to be being handled (in the media) the same way that Aids was back in the 80's.

They didn't really know too much about it so made stuff up and decided that scaremongering tactics would sell papers.

[Workingman]

The poor victims are suffering internal bleeding, diarrhoea and vomiting. As well as being fed, watered and given drugs, they, their bedding and beds, all need washing and cleaning. Everything they and their helpers touch, including the decontam suits, has to be sterilised or disposed of and destroyed under the most clinically sterile conditions as are possible. It is not the easiest of tasks in field conditions, but it has to be tried.