Ebola virus (EVD) is one of the deadliest viral diseases and was discovered in 1976. The first outbreak occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a village near the Ebola River. The second outbreak occurred in what is now South Sudan. EVD most commonly affects people and nonhuman primates such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees. The virus spreads to people initially through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, and tissues of animals. It then spreads to other people through direct contact with body fluids of a person who is sick or has died from EVD.
More than 2,400 years ago, a mysterious plague swept through ancient Athens. In five years, it killed perhaps a quarter of the population of the city-state, which was then under siege by Sparta. Thousands of Athenians died a dreadful death — first suffering a maddening fever, then bloodshot eyes, inexplicable vomiting and bleeding, followed by skin lesions and diarrhea. Medical researchers are suggesting that the Plague of Athens was, in fact, an attack of Ebola.
Greece will take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the country. On air, aircraft crews will isolate passengers with Ebola symptoms and have them wear surgical masks and gloves. On land, passengers will fill out a questionnaire constructed to document their epidemiological data. If their answers raise suspicions, they will be quarantined or rushed to the nearest hospital. In ports and remote islands, they will be interned in day centers and remain there for twenty-one days or until the doctors signs release orders.
- Mitra Bijoy
