Ebola: How a killer disease was stopped in its tracks

[muriel_volestrangler]

One of the world's deadliest viruses, Ebola kills up to half of those it infects. But despite appearing to have all the hallmarks of a potential epidemic, the latest outbreak developed in a very different way.

It was the ninth Ebola outbreak to hit the Democratic Republic of Congo in a decade, killing 29 people and leaving at least 60 children orphaned.
...
Vaccinations were given to the Ebola patient, plus a "ring" of friends, family and contacts - as well as healthcare workers and people involved in burials. All had to give their consent.
...
Treatment centres and isolation zones were set up to reduce the spread of the virus and face-masks, gowns and gloves were used.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-44872418

Dr Josie Golding is the Epidemic Preparedness & Response Lead at the Wellcome Trust

Hopefully, this can be built on for stopping future outbreaks as quickly as possible.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. A Vaccine! At minus 70 degrees Centigrade!!

That's like -94 degrees Fahrenheit.

In Africa!!

At least they have a vaccine, it is news to me.

[LuvNewcastle]

2. This is wonderful news!

This outbreak could have been horrific if it had reached Kinshasa. I hope future outbreaks will be managed as well as this one; considering all of the challenges they faced, health workers did an amazing job here. Hopefully the countries of west Africa are taking note of how successful these measures were and act accordingly when confronted with another outbreak.