Ebola coming to the US

[scrub-jay]

So, after the CDC assured us last week that there was little chance of Ebola coming to the US, they've decided to transport 2 US citizens with Ebola back to the US to be treated.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news...-for-treatment

I'm disturbed by this decision, because one of the biggest challenges aid and health workers have had in the heart of the outbreak is a deep distrust of the medical community. And the CDC has been trumpeting the "trust us, we're doing everything that is possible" until US citizens get sick, then they get medically evacuated? What happens when other aid workers get sick? Are we setting a precedent here? The CDC has stated that any hospital with an ICU can easily set up a isolation for Ebola. Um, really?

Furthermore, anyone else concerned with the CDC's record of containing deadly diseases in the past few months?

[Pollyanna]

I was shocked tbh. Of course if it were my family I'd want them treated in the US, I certainly get that but in this case the needs of the many truly do outweigh the needs of the few. I don't know why they don't send a team to the sick?

[DrBandMe]

I agree; if it were my family I would want them here but I think it's more important to not risk the health of millions of Americans to save these two. I have little faith in most any government entity so maybe I'm just too cynical to believe they aren't going to fuck this up epically.

[Pollyanna]

Well, now I'm rethinking (and realize I know absolutely nothing about ID). Maybe I WOULDN'T want my family here. I mean, it's not like US docs treat Ebola on a regular basis or have even seen it. So now I don't know. I still believe they should not be brought back to the US (as harsh as that may sound).

I would love to hear from Kris about what her hubby thinks. And GMW as her hubby is at Emory correct?

[scrub-jay]

Ebola coming to the US

The current outbreak is 60% fatal, however Ebola Zaire (which this one is a subset of) generally has a 90% fatality rate. I suspect the actual rate in this outbreak is much higher because so many in the affected African countries do not trust the healthcare, so they are staying out of hospitals and dying at home. This worsens the spread bc the virus can live for a long time in a deceased host.

I've read that Emory does have an appropriate isolation unit, so that's good, but from my (very limited) understanding, most of the treatments are comfort-measures and massive fluids to control inflammation. This is not something that is only possible in the US, it's the same thing that's being done currently.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I read they actually tried a transfusion on one of the infected people of blood from someone who survived (to get the antibodies) - that kind of treatment won't be available in the US.

I feel like this is a case where the "US is the best" may come back to haunt us.

[Pollyanna]

I wonder by who and why the decision was made? And they only talk about one going to Emory but they are bringing both back. Where will the second patient be?

[scrub-jay]

From what I can tell, the CDC director advised against it, but the missionary group who the two patients worked for (with?) has been heading up this push. Also, the physician who is sick had his wife & kids with him and they came back to the US a week or so before he showed symptoms. His kids & wife are currently on fever watch, but are fine so far.

[Pollyanna]

From what I can tell, the CDC director advised against it, but the missionary group who the two patients worked for (with?) has been heading up this push. Also, the physician who is sick had his wife & kids with him and they came back to the US a week or so before he showed symptoms. His kids & wife are currently on fever watch, but are fine so far.

Wow, that makes it even scarier...

[WolfpackWife]

Wow, that makes it even scarier...

My thoughts exactly. I'll just say it: I don't think they should bring them back, sorry I just don't. I am having flashbacks to "Contagion".

[DrBandMe]

Exactly! What does fever watch even mean?! I hope it means quarantined.

[Thirteen]

This is very "The Stand"...
Or hell, "The Walking Dead".

More thoughts later... Hungry toddler.

[SoonerTexan]

I get the fear, but my first thought after seeing a picture of the doc and his family was, "omg they are us." They trained in Ft Worth and have two kids. I'd be fighting like hell to get him brought back if it were my husband.

Good thing I don't work at the CDC.

DH was wondering how they could safely transport him

[ladymoreta]

It scares me, too. The Hot Zone scared the crap out of me.

[SoonerTexan]

Really though, is Ebola going to come here through this situation or through any commercial flight originating from Africa or carrying anybody that has been in the affected area recently?